If protests and violence outside India House in London during the celebration of India’s Independence Day on August 15, 2019 and the past events are any indication then, nobody should have any qualm that United Kingdom(UK) has become a new hub of anti India activities. The protestors of Hizb-ut-Tehreek, an UK based Kashmiri separatist group, attacked the members of Indian community with eggs and water bottles.
There have been multiple instances in last one year and so that lend credence to this belief that United Kingdom is now a safe heaven for the separatist groups fanning anti India rhetoric, raising funds, holding violent protests in favour of Khalistan and independent Kashmir. Not long ago, banners carrying anti India messages were flown by the helicopters over the cricket stadiums during the World Cup. There must have been a lot of planning and coordination gone into it between the separatist groups and local flying clubs to execute this. The candid support of Mayor of London from Pakistani origin cannot be ruled out.
In August 2018 a separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) asking for “Referendum 2020” with the goal of creating Khalistan, held protests at Trafalgar Square in London. The British Government’s position was that a ‘peaceful demonstration of views is within the British Law’ and thus ignored the request from Indian Government to block the event. As it so happened in that event, a clarion call to “arms and violence” was made during the protests thereby inciting Sikhs to take up arms to “teach India Government a lesson”.
Many pro- Khalistani and Kashmiri separatist outfits are operating with ease in United Kingdom. Pak ISI finds it easier to coordinate its plans with these separatist based in UK. Many websites like neverforget84.com, and 1984tribute.com operate from UK as web based radio and TV channels. Also the websites advocating Khalistan like www.sikhsforjustice.org and www.referendum2020 supported by Pakistan has a smooth run in United Kingdom.