Hundreds gathered outside the Indian High Commission office in London on 26 January to protest for India’s treatment of Kashmir following a similar event on 15th August which led to the arrests of four people.
Crowds waving the green and yellow striped flags of Kashmir and raising signs with “end Indian occupation” were seen across the High Commission of India. Though thousands of protesters were expected to turn up in front of the Indian High Commission on January 26 but only a few hundred turned up.
On Saturday, the eve of Republic Day, thousands were expected to gather outside Downing Street before marching up to the Indian High Commission in London.
The march by Indian diaspora groups that “United against Fascism in India" called for the repeal of the new Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India and was expected to be joined by activists and students from various universities and organisations.
List of organising groups included South Asia Solidarity Group, CasteWatch UK, Co-ordinating Committee of Malayali Muslims, Kashmir Solidarity Movement, SOAS India Society, South Asian Students Against Fascism, Indian Workers Association (GB), Ghadar International, Indian Muslim Federation (UK), Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations (FORMO), Tamil People in the UK and others
UK Opposition Labour Party MP Sam Tarry addressed the demonstrators and said, “We are not here as any anti-India demonstration, we are here as a pro-India demonstration. It is incredibly important that our voices are heard against laws that are not good for the future of the country.”
PTI reported that messages of support from Labour MPs Stephen Timms, Clive Lewis and newly-elected Indian-origin parliamentarian Nadia Whittome were also read out, calling on the UK government to take up the issue with Indian counterparts.
