Leaders write to Mayor of London over 'Rise for Kashmir' protests

Tuesday 21st January 2020 12:53 EST
 
 

Community leaders and politicians have written to The Mayor of London expressing their concerns at the rumoured “Rise for Kashmir” protest that is expected to take place outside the High Commission in London on January 26. About 5,000 protestors are expected to gather outside the Commission on India's Republic Day in a protest similar to the kind hosted on 15th August last year which marks India's independence day.

Most of the protestors in the previous demonstrations were from Pakistani and Khalistani diaspora groups with many travelling from cities such as Birmingham and Manchester. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan had been successful in containing the protest anticipated during the Diwali celebrations last year. Now, community leaders and politicians have once again written to the Mayor requesting the same show of support.

“I am writing to you on behalf of my constituents and Londoners expressing my serious concerns about the upcoming ‘Rise for Kashmir’ protest, which is planned to coincide with India’s Republic Day on Sunday 26th January and due to take place outside the Indian High Commission.

“I am sure that you will agree that this time around, it is equally crucial that we do not see a repeat of the violent scenes and vandalism witnessed at a previous rally that took place outside the Indian High Commission on August 15th- which marked India’s Independence Day,” Navin Shah, London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, wrote in his letter to the Mayor. 

Similar to the earlier protests, this one is expected to be attended by members of organisations such as Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, Sikhs for Justice (banned in India) and the World Sikh Parliament among other such opposition groups. The protests on August 15 were also attended by Special Assistant to the PM for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari. Recently, a video of Khalistanis calling on the Sikhs to burn the Indian constitution has also gone viral on social media and is circulated among various Whatsapp groups as well.

The violent nature of such kinds of protests has previously resulted in vandalising diplomatic property including causing damage to the India House building in London. Now, diplomats are concerned about the escalating tensions between India-Pakistan ever since the revocation of Article 370 and the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Leaders are yet, to hear from the Mayor of London and Metropolitan Officers about security arrangements ahead of these protests.

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Planned Kashmir Protest March and Rally on India’s Republic Day

Last October I wrote to you for your support, which you thankfully and effectively provided, to prevent any possibility of mayhem outside the Indian High Commission on the issue of Kashmir planned on the day of Diwali. With much regret, I am once again compelled to seek your help to stop the planned protest as explained below. I hope that you’d help us again so that peace prevails in the end.

I’m writing to you on behalf of my constituents and Londoners expressing my serious concerns about the upcoming ‘Rise for Kashmir’ protest, which is planned to coincide with India’s Republic Day on Sunday 26th January and due to take place outside the Indian High Commission. The latest media reports estimate that up to 5,000 protestors are expected to attend from across the UK.

Ahead of the last rally which targeted the High Commission on the day of Diwali itself, your interventions and the robust measures taken by the Metropolitan Police prevented chaos and disorder from breaking out.

I am sure that you will agree that this time around, it is equally crucial that we do not see a repeat of the violent scenes and vandalism witnessed at a previous rally that took place outside the Indian High Commission on August 15th- which marked India’s Independence day.

I fully appreciate that operational matters are for the Met Police to determine and the decision to ban or impose restrictive conditions upon a March or Rally rests entirely within the remit of the Home Secretary, rather than with you or the Met Police.

This is why I would like you to urgently bring these concerns to the attention of the Met Commissioner, Cressida Dick, and the Home Secretary, Priti Patel and obtain assurances that the necessary protections will be in place on the day of the protest.

I hope that the Met Police will also continue to work closely with the Indian High Commission in the build up to Republic Day and issue a Partner, Business and Stakeholder Update to alert all potentially affected parties to the plans for the protest. I hope that you will act swiftly so that peace, order and community cohesion is maintained. I look forward to hearing from you as a matter of urgency.

Best wishes,

Navin Shah AM

London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

 


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