A mob of protestors holding yellow Khalistani flags descended on India House, home to India’s High Commission to the UK, on 19 February 2023. Videos of the attack circulating on social media show a man climbing onto the balcony of India House, attempting to bring down the Indian tricolour flying on the building and replace it with the Khalistan flag. This invidious and obnoxious attempt was foiled by a security official of the High Commission, who can be seen rushing bravely onto the balcony, retrieving the Indian flag before it could fall into the hands of the miscreants below and, thus, preventing the unholy act from being perpetrated by the intruders.
The first time I saw the report of the incident was after disembarking from a ship in San Antonio, Chile. We had not had access to Wi-Fi for some time. I, thus, looked with surprise and horror at the headline ‘Indian High Commission attacked by Khalistanis’ that stared at me from my phone, as we got connected to Wi-Fi. ‘Why didn’t the Mission alert the Police to provide security!?’ That was my first reaction, as I recalled similar attacks that we had faced at India House in 2019. Our experience with London’s Met Police was that they would be present when informed, though on almost every occasion, their numbers would be grossly inadequate!
Subsequently, I saw reports in the media indicating that the High Commission had alerted the authorities of the planned protest. In a bizarre replay of Bollywood movies, the Met police arrived after the hero had already saved the situation. In this case, even the offenders had run away. As per reports that I saw, the police could only find one protestor to detain. The heroes of the episode were undoubtedly the Indian security personnel who saved the day by preventing the tricolour from being desecrated and, in all probability, burnt after the insult.
Perhaps the horrifying humiliation of 19 February, prompted a strong presence by the Met Police a few weeks later, when a similar protest was held outside India House in March. The strong presence kept the protestors at a safe distance from the India House building. The so-called ‘democratic right to protest’ was exercised on this occasion without impinging on the rights of the representatives of a friendly, sovereign nation to perform their legitimate official functions.
The attack on India House was roundly condemned by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Minister Tariq Ahmed and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. UK’s HC to India, Alex Haley also conveyed the sentiment clearly. Unlike the past, there was no ambiguity in condemning the attack. Phrases like, ‘largely peaceful’ were not used this time to describe the attack.
The attack on the High Commission enraged public opinion in India as well as amongst Indian diaspora abroad. No one can understand how a friendly nation like the UK could show such wanton disregard for the safety and security of the Indian Mission, which had been subjected to a series of violent protests less than four years back. The situation of the UK High Commission in India, as also the residence of the High Commissioner, has been very different in terms of security arrangements in India. Security barricades had been in place on the pavements outside their premises in Delhi, much to the discomfort of the average Indian walking on these pavements. These security barriers have since been removed, though Delhi Police has clarified that there is no letting up on the security to these premises.
I have often struggled to understand the casual approach of the London Police to the security of the Indian Mission in the UK. India House is located in a popular area on a fairly busy street of London. Its doors and windows open on the pavement with not even a few feet of set back from the road. There is no manifest security presence outside. The tendency of the London Met Police to dismiss or underestimate the security assessments shared with them by the Mission is, therefore, quite perplexing! It is hoped that the authorities have finally woken up this time and will seriously prioritise the safety and security of India’s diplomatic representatives in the UK.
I can not conclude this column without some words about the protesters. The behaviour of those on the streets outside India House on 19 February did no credit either to themselves or to the proud Sikh community. Anyone watching the videos would see ruffians like rowdy behaviour. Such morally defunct conduct can not inspire any social movement. There can be no moral authority of people whose intent is solely to intimidate and generally create mayhem.
The Sikh Gurus taught peace and harmony. Spirituality combined with fearlessness is the hallmark of the Sikh faith. The conduct of those who attacked India House on 19 February could not be the work of those taking inspiration from the conduct of the holy Gurus.
There are plenty of positive role models for young Sikhs to follow. The latest is Ajay Banga, who is set to lead the World Bank, the first Indian origin person to do so! There are many in the UK and across the globe who have distinguished themselves in different fields. Hopefully, youngsters within the community will take inspiration from them.
