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Activists chant pro-Khalistan slogans in front of the Indian High Commission headquarters in London on July 8 (Photo: Henry Nicholls/AFP)
This is seen as a diplomatic victory for India after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had several rounds of talks with his counterparts in UK and USA and managed to get commitments.
The pro-Khalistan “Freedom Rally” in the US and UK saw a low turnout. The protests were organized in front of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the Indian High Commission in London by so-called anti-India groups “supported” by the Pakistani intelligence.
This is seen as a diplomatic victory for India after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had several rounds of talks with his counterparts in UK and USA and managed to get commitments.
Despite widespread publicity, the rally failed to gather more than 50 protesters in San Francisco, where Khalistani activists attempted to burn down the Indian consulate on 2 July. Among this small group, more than 15 were young asylum seekers.
It was the same in London, where classified terrorist Paramjit Singh Bama broadcasted the event on all social media platforms. But it’s important to note that even their social media presence was minimal.
The rally in London used controversial posters inciting violence, with pictures of Indian High Commissioner Vikram Duriswamy and Dr Shashank Vikram, Consul General of India in Birmingham. There was a visible police presence throughout the demonstration, which ended sooner than expected.
Earlier this week, the UK government declared that any direct attacks on the High Commission of India in London were unacceptable amid anti-India attacks and posters by Khalistani extremists popping up on social media channels. The Supreme Committee building was targeted by Khalistani extremists, who attempted to demolish the Indian Tricolor and smashed windows back in March.
This comes after Indian envoys and senior diplomats were threatened by Khalistani extremists in different parts of the world. Ahead of the rally, posters inciting violence against senior Indian diplomats appeared in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
On Thursday (July 6), in a letter to countries like Canada, Australia, the US and the UK, India said no space should be given to those who advocate violence or legitimize terrorism in the name of freedom of expression. New Delhi also said that the safety of the Indian envoys is a top priority and the issue has been discussed with the concerned countries.
(with PTI input)
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