INDIAN FLAG DESECRATION

British MP, Indian groups seek action in London

The British government is under growing pressure to take action against protesters behind the desecration of the Indian flag at Parliament Square in London during Prime Minister Modi’s visit.

Conservative party MP Bob Blackman, who had raised a question in the House of Commons a day after the incident on April 18, plans to write to UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd and the Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom, pressing for a police investigation. "A quite disgraceful event was taking place in Parliament Square, where the Indian national flag, which had been raised to celebrate the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), was burned," Blackm, reports PTI.

He said he was all for free speech, but "that seems to transcend free speech."

Reacting to the "shocking announcement", Leadsom had invited Blackman to write giving details of what he saw or heard which he confirmed on Monday was in process. "I will be writing to the Home Secretary and Leader of the House, following my questions on Wednesday at PMQs (Prime Minister's Questions) and on Thursday at Business Questions, asking for a police investigation," he said.

The Indian government had issued a statement saying it expects legal action against those behind the desecration of the tricolour and also those responsible for instigating the incident. "We expect action, including legal action, against the people involved in the incident and also people responsible for instigating the incident," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had told reporters.