The rally, made up largely of British Sikhs, included banners and slogans.
London:
Thousands of people protested in central London on Sunday over the Indian government’s agricultural reforms that have sparked a mass demonstration by farmers. Several people were arrested by police for violating COVID-19 rules, the PTI news agency reported.
A crowd of protesters gathered at the Indian embassy, located in Aldwych, a major artery in the center of the British capital, and groups marched around the Trafalgar Square area, a Reuters photographer at the scene said.
Several masked policemen called on people to disperse from the “We stand with Punjab farmers” rally, warning that strict regulations remain in place to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and thus demonstrations of more than 30 they risk arrest and fines.
The demonstration, made up largely of British Sikhs, included banners with messages such as “Justice for Farmers” and slogans, as well as several cars blocking the roads. Little social distancing was evidenced and few participants wore face masks.
“Our High Commission has been coordinating closely with the concerned authorities and together with them we will address the issues that have arisen, for example how this gathering of thousands of people could take place without specific permission,” quoted a spokesperson for the Alta Commission of India. as PTI says.
The Indian embassy said the meeting was led by “anti-India separatists.”
“It soon became clear that the meeting was led by anti-India separatists who had seized the opportunity of the protests in India to apparently support farmers in India, but took the opportunity to pursue their own anti-India agenda,” the spokesperson said. .
The High Commission reiterated the government’s position that the protest against the agrarian reform bills in India is part of an internal democratic process.
“It is a work in progress in the functioning of our democracy. The government of India is in talks with the protesters which are still ongoing. Needless to say, it is an internal problem of India,” the spokesman added.
The protest comes after a group of 36 British MPs led by British Sikh Labor MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi wrote to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, asking him to present statements to his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, about the protests in India.
Tens of thousands of farmers are protesting on the outskirts of New Delhi against three laws that the government says are aimed at overhauling outdated procurement procedures and giving farmers more options to sell their produce.
Farmers fear that the legislation, passed in September, will eventually dismantle India’s regulated markets and prevent the government from buying wheat and rice at guaranteed prices, leaving them at the mercy of private buyers.
Britain is home to a large Indian community and many Brits who have family roots in India are highly engaged with the country’s news.
(With inputs from agencies)
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