Former Foreign Secretary Decries UK’s Tolerance for Khalistani Extremists Following Security Incident Involving Jaishankar
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Synopsis
New Delhi, March 6 (NationPress) Various analysts and politicians have strongly criticized the security breach in London when Khalistani extremists attempted to obstruct External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's vehicle. This incident has reignited concerns over the UK’s handling of radical elements.
Key Takeaways
- Khalistani extremists attempted to block Jaishankar's vehicle in London.
- Several political figures condemned the lack of security.
- Protests have been a recurring issue in the UK.
- Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal criticized UK’s approach.
- MEA condemned the misuse of democratic freedoms by radicals.
New Delhi, March 6 (NationPress) A multitude of analysts, former diplomats, and political figures have raised their voices in strong disapproval of the significant security lapse that occurred in London on Wednesday night when Khalistani extremists residing in Britain attempted to obstruct the vehicle transporting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Footage of the event depicting Khalistani goons protesting outside the Chatham House in London, where the EAM was participating in an event, has rapidly circulated on social media. One video captured a Sikh protestor sprinting toward the EAM's vehicle as he exited the venue following the think tank event.
"This freedom granted to British Khalistani extremists for their anti-Indian actions is intolerable. The British consistently overlook our numerous protests regarding the space they allocate to such factions, using the convenient pretense of the right to peaceful protest," former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal stated on X.
"Protesting against what? Punjab is peaceful, and they seek to disrupt that, as well as the harmony among Indian origin communities in the UK. Are they protesting against any restrictions on their right to promote violence, terrorism, and separatism in Punjab, or the right to desecrate the Indian flag and insult a visiting Indian leader?" Sibal added.
This isn't the first instance of anti-India and radical factions organizing demonstrations, assaults, and arson in London.
In March 2023, New Delhi lodged a robust protest after Khalistani elements caused a disturbance at the Indian High Commission in London. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) demanded a clarification from British authorities regarding the complete absence of security that permitted Khalistani goons to infiltrate the High Commission premises.
"The UK seems intent on retaining these factions as leverage against India, aside from the crass electoral motivations of their political class reliant on minority votes in their respective districts," Sibal, an experienced diplomat who has served as the Indian Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, France, and Russia, expressed.
In response to Wednesday's incident, the MEA also "deplored the exploitation of democratic freedom" by such groups.
EAM Jaishankar has repeatedly criticized Khalistani extremists who misuse freedom laws in various nations, including Canada, the UK, and the United States.
"Freedom of speech cannot equate to freedom to endorse violence; it cannot mean freedom to promote separatism and terrorism in a foreign nation," the EAM has emphasized on prior occasions.
