Protests held outside UK mission against anti-India SFJ rally

Smita Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 10

Activists protested peacefully outside the UK High Commission in Delhi on Friday against the pro-Khalistan rally to be held at Trafalgar Square on August 12.

Led by the All India Anti-Terrorist Front and its Chairman MS Bitta, Sikh and other activists marched from Teenmurti to the British mission with placards in hand calling the 2020 Referendum an attack on Indian sovereignty and seeking deportation of “wanted terrorists and criminals” associated with the London rally.

“Paramjit Singh Pamma and many of his aides are wanted terrorists. We will make all efforts to get them deported back to India. We will put pressure on our government and Indian government must pressurise UK government. We will continue to protest outside the UK high commission till our demands are meet,” Bitta said.

The marching crowds chanted slogans against UK, Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI.

The Tribune in a recent expose revealed the complicity of ISI in orchestrating these anti-India rallies under the banner of ‘Sikhs For Justice’ to fan secessionist sentiments. Later Bitta submitted a memorandum to High Commissioner Dominic Asquith condemning the London rally.

Meanwhile, UK High Commission spokesperson, while reiterating earlier stance of right of people in UK to protest, said on Friday the content of the rally will be closely monitored by British security forces. “Should a protest contravene the law, the police have comprehensive powers to deal with activities that spread hate or deliberately raise tensions through violence or public disorder. This does not negate the right to peaceful protest. The use of these powers and the management of demonstrations are an operational matter for the police,” the spokesperson said.

UK has turned down India’s multiple requests in writing and in person to deny permission to Organisers of the rally that is expected to see participation by Sikh activists from Canada, US, Australia among others. In wake of the August 12 rally, India has also asked its missions in these countries to be vigilant against similar rallies planned in other locations and to sensitise the foreign host countries about India’s grave security concerns.