1 hour ago
SFI UK demonstrators and pro-government supporters staged rival protests outside India's High Commission in London. The face-off highlighted diaspora divisions over electoral reforms, democracy and Modi's leadership.
London,Oct 16, 2026 22:54 IST
A large group of demonstrators gathered outside the High Commission of India in London on Friday, October 16, for a protest organised by the Student Federation of India (SFI) UK, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
A smaller group of Indian government supporters held a counter-protest against the student demonstration, which was organised under the banner “Stand in Solidarity” and demanded “accountability and transparency”.
Friday's demonstration followed an “Emergency Protest” outside India House earlier in the week. It was called to amplify the demands of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), including the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in India.
Several Metropolitan Police officers kept the two groups apart. Both sides waved the Tricolour, with a set of steps separating them, PTI reported.
The student group raised slogans of “Azadi” and “Saare Jahaan Se Achcha”, while the counter-protesters chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Modi, Modi” and waved a large cut-out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We will not tolerate the erasure of votes. We will not tolerate police violence. We are here in defence of Indian democracy,” SFI UK said in a statement.
Several speakers addressed the gathering and urged the crowd to respond to the counter-protesters with chants of “Jai Bhim” and “Shame”. The pro-government group also attempted to make itself heard over the loudspeaker with similar chants of “Shame”.
Rahul Kale, a London-based entrepreneur with strong business links to India, was among the pro-government demonstrators.
“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has expanded global trade through a landmark FTA with the UK, opening new export opportunities,” Kale told PTI.
“I feel it is necessary for the protesters to understand that these protests in London for no reason hamper investor confidence and create unnecessary panic,” he said.
Hirdesh Gupta, Founder-Director of Indian Diaspora in the UK, said: “Today, we gathered at the High Commission of India to express our unwavering faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is working tirelessly for India's progress and prosperity.”
Further protests and counter-protests are planned in London in the coming days, following Friday's rival demonstrations outside the Indian High Commission.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
