Delhi ticks off UK govt on Aug 12 pro-khalistan event
LONDON:AFTER strongly taking up the issue of the Theresa May government permitting a pro-khalistan event in London on August 12, New Delhi has informed Brexitbound London that it should take the ‘larger perspective’ of bilateral relations while deciding on sensitive issues.
Us-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is behind the Trafalgar Square event, during which a call for a “non-binding referendum” for independence of Punjab is expected to be given. A Uk-based Sikh campaign group has questioned email invites to the event sent to British MPS.
Indian diplomats said the UK Foreign Office had been unequivocally informed that the event amounted to “a separatist activity which impinges on India’s territorial integrity”, and seeks to propagate violence, secessionism and hatred.
“We expect them (UK) to take into account the larger perspective of the relationship when they take a decision in such matters,” said an official who did not want to be named.
British authorities rejected demands that permission be denied for the event on grounds of freedom of expression.
SFJ said on Friday that Labour MP Matt Western and former MP George Galloway had extended support to the event, while campaign group Sikh Federation UK alleged that almost all email invitations sent to British MPS were from “bogus constituents” based in India and Pakistan.
Sikh Federation UK said: “These individuals appear to have been provided with postcodes linked to MPS to give the impression of being constituents, but when asked via email to provide residential addresses most have come back with addresses from different parts of India and Pakistan.