A controversy over an incident where the Indian flag was ripped down on Parliament Square during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit last week showed little sign of abating as an online petition calling for action by British Prime Minister Theresa May gained thousands of signatures within a day of going live.
Over 7,000 signed the petition demanding “action against the culprits who tore down the Indian flag under the eyes of the British police”. Police are looking into the incident though no arrests have been made.
The Hindu Forum of Britain, which represents over 400 Hindu groups across the country, has written to Home Secretary Amber Rudd demanding that Lord Nazir Ahmed, who had organised the protest “Minorities against Modi” on Parliament Square on Wednesday, be stripped of his Lordship and an enquiry set up to “hold him to account for the violent protests he instigated and organised against Mr. Modi”.
The incident on Wednesday afternoon, the day of the U.K.-India bilateral part of Mr. Modi’s visit, was witnessed by Indian journalist Loveena Tandon, who has filed a police complaint after being cornered by some protesters.
According to video footage of the events on the square, the tearing of the flag was carried out by a group of pro-Khalistan demonstrators who had come together with Kashmiri separatist groups as part of the ‘Minorities Against Modi’ protest. Entirely separate peaceful protests also happened on the day.
India’s warnings
India has said it expressed its concerns over the incident, which Britain had regretted at the “highest levels”. It occurred despite warnings from India ahead of the event for the potential for disruptive, violent action. The flag flew alongside those from the other 52 members of the Commonwealth to mark the summit. A replacement flag was swiftly put up in its place.
Britain’s Foreign Office expressed its disappointment with the action taken by a “small minority” in Parliament Square and said it contacted the Indian High Commissioner, while Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the House of Commons, described the incident as “shocking”, and said she would take it up with Home Secretary Amber Rudd when it is raised in Parliament by Conservative MP Bob Blackman. However, Ms. May did not appear to be aware of the incident when it was raised at the last press conference of the Commonwealth summit. Mr. Blackman said he would be writing to the Home Secretary calling for an investigation by police.
