In UK, Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram drown out anti-India slogans

The Indian diaspora in the UK are countering pro-Pakistan and Khalistani protesters in a big way. On May 1, people of Indian-origin stepped out in large numbers, waved the Indian flag and chanted slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram". This was outside the High Commission of India in London. The protestors outnumbered the pro-Pakistan and Khalistani protestors, and drowned out their anti-India slogans.

This show of strength by the diaspora was part of similar high-octane demonstrations across the UK, condemning terrorism and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The protests started after terrorists attacked and killed 26 people, including tourists, in Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22.

The protestors held the Indian flag and placards with strong condemnation of terrorism as they chanted slogans as they gathered across the road from the pro-Pak and pro-Khalistani protestors, according to a PTI report.

"This demonstration is in response to a pro-Khalistan protest organised by separatist groups. Members of the Indian diaspora have gathered in large numbers to express their support for India's unity and sovereignty," said the Friends of India Society (FISI) UK, one of the groups behind Thursday's counter-protest.

"Pro-India demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal", "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram" while waving the tricolour to send out their message against terrorism.

INDIAN DIASPORA HELD PROTEST ACROSS UK OVER PAHALGAM

The demonstration follows a similar rally at India House in London on April 27, where Indian groups countered a Pakistani protest against perceived "Indian propaganda" related to the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Another member of the Indian diaspora, who participated in one of the protests, emphasised that the entire Indian community in the UK is agitated over the "heinous attack", describing the gathering as a peaceful yet firm display of solidarity and grief.

Apart from London, the Indian community in the UK also held protests over the Pahalgam massacre in other cities such as Manchester, Edinburgh, and Belfast, aiming to denounce Pakistan-supported terrorism.

The Indian community has also called on the UK government to summon the Pakistani High Commissioner for an official response, urging Pakistan to publicly denounce the killings, pledging to halt its support for terrorism.

BRITISH MINISTER COMMENTS ON INDIA-PAKISTAN TENSION

Following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, several cross-party British MPs overwhelmingly condemned the killing of 26 innocent tourists in the terrorist attack in Kashmir last week and also raised concerns about its impact on diaspora communities during an urgent question in the House of Commons.

"This escalation is unsettling for communities within the UK. British Pakistanis and British Indians are valued parts of our community, but we look to all community and faith leaders to spread the message that now is the time for coming together across religious and ethnic differences, not to play out the tensions between two states on the streets of the UK, and we will continue to send that message," British Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Hamish Falconer told Parliament, according to PTI.