Police had to be called after pro-Khalistan activists disrupted an Indian high commission outreach consular event in Sutton, south London, last weekend. The event was held inside a primary school building.
Disruption at the event
Pro-Khalistan activists barged into the building holding Khalistan flags, fought with organisers, and claimed the Indian high commission had no right to hold the event there. They shouted Khalistan Zindabad through a megaphone and demanded to see Indian officials. The activists argued that this was the UK and they were UK taxpayers.
Purpose of the event
The all-day event was organised by Indian Friends of Sutton to allow Indian high commission staff to handle queries regarding passport renewals, OCI cards, and visas. Such events are held regularly at different locations, and 500 people attended the Sutton event.
Impact on children
A Tamil language class for children was taking place on one of the floors of the building as the disruption unfolded. An organiser told TOI that they asked the activists to go outside as they were scaring the kids. The organiser explained that the high commission staff present were clerks, but the activists kept demanding to meet HCI officials.
Police involvement
The organisers called the police, who sent four officers. One pro-Khalistan activist told the police that if the Indian mission wanted to conduct operations, they should do so from their embassy, accusing them of killing their people. The police made the activists go outside, where they protested, tore the Indian tricolour, played football with it, and stood on it. They continued provoking and threatening the organisers, calling them cowards.
Official response
The Indian mission is now taking up the matter with the UK government through appropriate channels.
