London has long been a beacon of hope, openness and diversity around the world. We are a proudly outward-looking, global city where people from all cultures, faiths, communities and nationalities are celebrated and can live side-by-side without fear of discrimination or persecution.
The British Indian community plays a crucial role in creating London’s vibrancy and ongoing success, an embodiment of how our diversity is not a weakness, but one of our greatest strengths.
Over many decades, Londoners of Indian origin have made a huge and invaluable contribution to our city - from helping to power our economy through their entrepreneurial spirit, to being an essential part of our NHS workforce.
Whether celebrating Holi or Navratri, Londoners of Indian origin have always welcomed their fellow Londoners into their lives. And at a time of growing divisions, our city's Indian community have played a key role in showing the rest of the world that here in London we don’t just respect and tolerate our differences, we celebrate them.
That’s why I was so deeply upset when I heard about the violence, aggression and hostility from some protestors during the Indian Independence Day celebrations, and at subsequent protests outside the Indian High Commission in London. I have condemned these actions in the strongest possible terms.
I know, and understand why, many in the British Indian community are shaken. And I absolutely agree that what happened was completely unacceptable. Families celebrating an important community celebration were deliberately targeted and it was frightening. This kind of behaviour goes against everything we stand for in London and the open, liberal values we hold so dear.
I understand how profoundly important marking Indian Independence Day is for many Londoners. And whether it is celebrating cultural events, national holidays, using public transport or going about their day-to-day lives, all Londoners – of all faiths and backgrounds - should be able to feel safe living, working and celebrating their culture and heritage in our city.
That’s why I immediately raised this matter with the Metropolitan Police and my team have been in touch with the Indian High Commission to offer our support throughout.
The right to protest is an important and valued part of our democracy, but it must always be done peacefully and within the law. The kind of threatening behaviour that took place outside the Indian High Commission should never be tolerated, and I can assure Londoners that anyone who is found to have acted unlawfully will be pursued by the full force of the Metropolitan Police so that justice is done.
Unfortunately, it appears there has been some misinformation about what I personally could have done to stop this protest. The truth is the power to ban marches and protests rests solely with the British Government and the Home Secretary - and is not within my power.
I hold no powers to ban marches or protests, whether marches by right-wing racist organisations, or the kind of protests that took place outside the Indian High Commission last month. But, working with the police, I will do everything in my power to prevent anything like this from happening again. This includes putting pressure on the Government to act. I will also continue to stand up for the British Indian community and seek to build ties between London and the great cities of India.
In 2017, I was lucky to have the chance to visit India. The amazing hospitality I received was truly humbling and it’s a trip I’ll never forget. I was there in my capacity as the Mayor of London, but I can’t deny that it also felt special on a personal level as it’s where both my grandparents and parents were born and raised.
One of the primary reasons for the visit was to help London and Indian cities foster new and meaningful business, education and cultural ties. I believe we have a strong foundation to do this - not only because we share many of the same values, but because we have a long and enduring history that has played a vital role in shaping our respective cultures and economies. In particular, the Indian diaspora in Britain has made a huge contribution to London’s success and is now an integral part of the fabric of London.
So, as Mayor, I will continue to do all I can to extend the hand of friendship to Londoners of Indian origin, to make sure they are always respected, valued and made to feel safe, and to ensure London remains a welcoming place to people from India and around the world.
