Hundreds protest against PM Narendra Modi's UK visit

LONDON: Few hundred protesters today staged a demonstration outside Downing Street here against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK.

Protesters representing Sikh, Tamil, Kashmiri, Gujarati, Nepali and women's groups chanted 'Modi Go Home' and 'Back off Modi' as he was welcomed by British Prime Minister David Cameron around lunchtime at 10 Downing Street.

The protesters were carrying placards like 'Hindutva is threat to Indian unity', 'Modi not welcome in UK' and 'Stop religious persecution in India'.

A number of groups had earlier announced a "day of protest" today, coinciding with Modi's visit.

The "Modi Not Welcome" campaign is led by the Awaaz Network which is spearheading the protests.

Modi today arrived here on his much-anticipated maiden three-day visit that started with talks with Cameron.

He was subject to a visa ban and British diplomats in India could have no dealings with him until 2012 over Gujarat riots which killed more than 1,000 people in 2002, when he was chief minister of the state.

Modi has always denied any responsibility.