UK bans protests near Indian High Commission on Diwali

NEW DELHI: UK has banned protests by Pak-backed Kashmiri groups near India House in London on Diwali after a note verbale and strong protests by MEA and Indian High Commission.

ET has learnt that the Indian government made the moves after the British government failed to safeguard the Indian High Commission in London on August 15, when it was attacked by pro-Pakistani groups in the wake of India’s decision to withdraw special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the state into two Union territories.

Rotten tomatoes, eggs and even smoke bombs were used during the protest on August 15. Several prominent Khalistanis were also joined the protest and tried to desecrate Indian flag.


However in preemptive moves Indian community organisations in Britain and Indian origin lawmakers of London were on a campaign to revoke the permission for the protest.

The Scotland Yard has now banned the protest outside the Indian High Commission and asked them to assemble at Parliament Square at Westminster and end the procession at Trafalgar Square through Parliament Street and Whitehall.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had condemned plans to hold march on Diwali and called on the organisers and prospective participants to cancel the protest rally.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue of the August 15 protest outside the Indian High Commission in London with his UK counterpart Boris Johnson.