As Indians around the world marked 72 years of Indian independence on 15th August, celebrations in London, UK were marred with a huge radical mob disrupting and hindering celebrations by Indian Diaspora. Following up on the incident, Indian authorities have called upon Dominic Asquith, The British High Commissioner to India, and conveyed India’s concerns about the incidents of violence during the protests and also urged “adequate safety and security” measures for Indian High commission and its staff.
Apart from throwing eggs, bottles, vegetables, batteries, potatoes and hot coffee, the violent protesters also used smoke bombs to confuse the police horses and broke through the barriers; Indian families were reported to have been trapped for hours as the violent mobs surrounded them. The UK police has arrested four persons for affray, obstruction of police and possession of an offensive weapon, police said. “One person was injured during the demonstrations,” the police added. A photograph showing the police carrying away a large curved knife from the protest has also surfaced.
After failing to get the international community to endorse Pakistan’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani administration, specifically the notorious ISI has been orchestrating similar violent anti-India protests around the world, however most of these protests have been largely ignored and condemned given no locus standi of Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir.
Nonetheless India’s message is sure to make the UK authorities pull up their socks and ensure safety and security of Indians and related subjects from Pakistan sponsored violent protests. Reports have also indicated that these anti-India ‘protesters’ were transported on special chartered buses from around England to London specifically for protests.
Earlier officials had also pointed out that Pakistani High Commission in London has been one of the major sources of funding for several anti-India groups. In lieu of funding, these groups then indulge in spreading anti-India propaganda like leveling unfounded allegations which could range from human rights violation to issues of minorities in India and use of force against civilians. However since 2018 the NGOs have not been functioning at optimum giving serious deficiencies of funds, nonetheless looking at the current developments and the desperation of the Pakistani establishment at an all time high, covert entities are probably back at funding these anti-India groups despite their massively debt ridden and defunct economy, as indicated by arrangement of chartered buses for the protesters to be shipped to Indian High Commission in London.
This unprecedented attack against peaceful assembly has surely shifted the world’s attention towards Britain, which over the past few years has been witnessing major social-political changes. Political observers have indicated that rise of fundamental Islamists in politics and other crucial societal pivots has also been a driving force behind this intolerant approach towards other communities, mostly non Muslim communities and minorities within Islam. This skewed support towards hardliner Islamist was clearly seen in the 15th August attack on Indian Diaspora celebrating in London, also the failure of British authorities, especially Pakistani – British Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, to protect peaceful assembly is also appalling.