India urges UK govt to take action against those who tore tricolour
India on Friday expressed “deep anguish” at the Indian flag being pulled down, torn and stamped on during protests on Wednesday and said it expects the UK government to take action, including legal measures, against those responsible.
Britain officially apologised on Thursday for the incident that prompted a strong protest from the Indian high commission. It occurred in Parliament Square as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was engaged in bilateral talks and an address to the Indian diaspora before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: “We are deeply anguished over the incident involving our national flag. The UK has regretted the incident at the highest level. The flag was replaced soon after it was brought to the notice of authorities.
“We expect action, including legal action, not only against those responsible on the ground but also those behind the act.”
Campaign group Sikh Federation (UK), which was part of the anti-India protests on Wednesday, said India had “over-reacted” to the incident.
The UK Foreign Office said in a statement: “While people have the right to hold peaceful protests, we are disappointed with the action taken by a small minority in Parliament Square and contacted high commissioner Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha as soon as we were made aware.
“The visit to the UK by Prime Minister Modi has strengthened our relationship with India and we look forward to working even more closely together on a number of important areas.”
Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said: “The impromptu removal of the Indian flag by protesters in Parliament Square...towards the end of the demonstration was intended to make a political point against the policies of the Narendra Modi-led Indian government.”
A complaint has been filed with Scotland Yard by broadcast journalist Loveena Tandon, who said she faced intimidation and worse from the protesters in Parliament Square. The Indian Journalists Association condemned the violence and threats faced by journalists.
Tandon, who has video footage of her intimidation, said in a statement: “The incident took place on the day the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, was having bilateral talks with Prime Minister Theresa May's government In London ahead of the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018.
“I was covering the events on the day, interacting with the huge turnout of people who came to support Mr Modi and some even to protest. The historic Parliament Square in London was shining, with 53 colourful flags of nations of the Commonwealth. It was just after 2 pm when there was unusual noise just under the Indian flag post.
“To my shock, the protesters, while raising anti-India slogans, brought the Indian flag down, tore it with scissors until it was completely destroyed. It happened within minutes and there are videos, now viral, demonstrating the same. Despite a huge presence of policemen, no one managed to stop them through this undemocratic act.
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