Tricolour back in Indian High Commission in London after Khalistani supporters remove it
New Delhi/London/IBNS: India's national flag is back in the Indian High Commission in London after it was removed from outside the building by some Khalistani supporters, media reports said.
In a tweet posted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill, the national flag is seen adorning the Indian High Commission in London.
Shergill wrote, "Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara”- UK Govt must act against those miscreants who attempted to disrespect Indian Flag at High Commission, London.Punjab & Punjabis have a glorious track record of serving/protecting the Nation.Handful of jumping jacks sitting in UK do not represent Punjab."
“Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara”- UK Govt must act against those miscreants who attempted to disrespect Indian Flag at High Commission,London.Punjab & Punjabis have a glorious track record of serving/protecting the Nation.Handful of jumping jacks sitting in UK do not represent Punjab. pic.twitter.com/TJrNAZcdmf
— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) March 20, 2023
The incident comes a day after the action to arrest pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh.
India also demanded an explanation for the "complete absence of British security" that allowed the Khalistani elements to enter the Indian High Commission premises.
India also said it finds “unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK”.
The statement also demanded that the perpetrators be immediately arrested and prosecuted and stringent measures be put in place to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Videos on social media showed a group of Khalistani supporters shouting pro-Khalistan slogans and waving Khalistani flags gathered outside the Indian High Commission. One from the group is seen clambering on the verandah of the Indian High Commission and removing the Indian flag, to cheering and shouting of Khalistani slogans by the crowd.
The MEA statement issued late in the night read: “The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late evening today to convey India’s strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London earlier in the day."
India lodges strong protest with UK.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 19, 2023
Press Release ➡️ https://t.co/Apz9tgy1Ki pic.twitter.com/PV2VyUw1Lt
“An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of the British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention," read the statement.
“India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK," it said.
“It is expected that the UK Government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in today’s incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents,” it said.