Indian police have opened an investigation into a protest at the Indian High Commission in London, UK, on Sunday, March 19, where protesters with "Khalistan" banners took down an Indian
flag from a balcony to denounce recent police action in India's Punjab state. The incident has sparked tension in relations between India and the UK, and Indian police are now pursuing action against the protesters. Khalistan is the name of an independent Sikh homeland that some members of the community aspire to, both in India and in countries where Sikhs have settled.
The Indian foreign ministry said that it had shared the incident report with relevant agencies and that it was now up to law enforcement agencies to pursue it. "Whenever we feel there is an issue related to the security of our missions abroad, high commissions or embassies, this issue is taken up," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. "We expect the host governments will take action to identify and prosecute all those involved and take necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents."
India summoned the top British diplomat in New Delhi on Sunday to convey its "strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements" at the mission, and to seek an explanation for "the complete absence" of security there. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said acts of violence towards staff at the High Commission in London were unacceptable, and British police were investigating. Indian police had also opened an investigation, according to ANI news agency.
Delhi police also removed some barricades protecting the British High Commission and the British High Commissioner's residence on Wednesday. Asked about it, Bagchi said he could not comment on the security of foreign missions in India.
Sikh militants complaining of unfair treatment on the part of the central government and seeking an independent homeland waged an anti-government campaign in the 1980s and early 1990s in which tens of thousands of people were killed. Police in Punjab, where Sikhs are in the majority, this month launched a hunt for a Sikh preacher who has revived talk of an independent homeland.
The incident has caused concern for Indian authorities, who have asked for the UK government's cooperation in identifying and prosecuting those involved in the protest. India has made it clear that it is not interested in assurances, but rather action against those involved in the incident. The UK government has promised to investigate the incident and take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
The incident is a reminder of the historical tensions between India and Sikhs seeking an independent homeland, which has resulted in significant bloodshed in the past. The Indian government will be looking to prevent any further escalation of tensions between the two countries, while the UK government will need to ensure the safety of foreign missions on its soil. Photo by Pulakit Singh, Wikimedia commons.