UK Kashmiri and Pak protesters, pro-Khalistan Sikhs expected to besiege India mission in London on Republic Day

LONDON: The Indian high commission building in London — which was the scene of violent protests on Independence Day — is expected to be besieged by protesters all weekend yet again as India celebrates Republic Day.
Up to 15,000 British Kashmiris plan to attend a “Kashmir protest” outside the building on Republic Day, whilst Indian students and other diaspora groups have scheduled a mass anti-NRC-NPR-CAA rally outside it on Saturday.
Slough-based Amjad Abbasi, chairman of overseas publicity for All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, one of the organisers of Sunday’s protest, said he was expecting 10,000 to 15,000 people to come. He said 100 coaches were coming from different cities and the police have not set any restrictions.
“This is a peaceful demonstration. We are not expecting any violence as we are a peaceful people,” he said.
A Metropolitan police spokesman said: “We are aware of a march taking place in central London on Saturday and a demonstration on Sunday. A proportionate policing plan is in place.”
On Thursday London mayor Sadiq Khan wrote to Gujarat-born London Assembly member Navin Shah expressing concern about Sunday’s protest, but added he did not have the power to ban marches, only home secretary Priti Patel did. He said the Metropolitan police had a robust policing operation in place and “anyone who acts unlawfully on Sunday will be held fully accountable by the police”.
Other groups organising Sunday’s protest, which starts at 1 pm, include Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, Sikhs for Justice (banned in India) and the World Sikh Parliament. Pro-Khalistan Sikhs, British Pakistanis and Britons who originate from PoK are expected to be those who take part.
Fahim Kayani, president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, told TOI there would also be a digital campaign whereby vans would go round the capital with posters “exposing” alleged human rights violations in Kashmir.
Leader of the opposition in the PoK assembly Ch Muhammad Yasin is expected to attend.
The Saturday protest, titled “The National Demonstration Against Fascism in India”, has been called by SOAS India Society, the South Asia Solidarity Group, CasteWatch UK, Tamil People in the UK, Coordinating Committee of Malayali Muslims, Kashmir Solidarity Movement, Indian Workers Association (GB), Ghadar International, Indian Muslim Federation (UK), Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations (FORMO) and other groups. It will start with a rally at 1 pm at Downing Street and then a march to the Indian high commission.