Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday, 19 October 2026, launched a sharp attack on a demonstration held in London, alleging that Congress party flags were displayed alongside the flags of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Rijiju declared that such gatherings of what he called 'anti-India forces' could never break Bharat.

Rijiju's Posts on X

Sharing a short video of the demonstration on X (formerly Twitter), Rijiju wrote: 'Congress party flags with the flags of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan in London! These people think that gatherings of Anti-India gangs in London will intimidate patriotic Indians. Bharat will never bow, and anti-India forces can never break Bharat.'

In a separate post accompanying the video, the minister added: 'All Anti-India gangs in London are led by Pseudo Indian YouTuber. Pro Indians will always prevail.' The posts drew significant attention online and reignited the ongoing debate over diaspora politics and India's international image.

Broader Political Context

Rijiju's remarks come amid a wider political confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition over allegations of attempts to destabilise the government. Leaders of the ruling dispensation have repeatedly accused certain opposition figures and protest organisers of promoting narratives they consider damaging to India's national interest.

Notably, earlier this week, Rijiju also shared a video of senior advocate Prashant Bhushan's 2011 remarks on Kashmir, in which Bhushan was heard saying: 'If Kashmiri people want to separate, let them be separated.' The minister has framed the current political contest in stark terms, posting: 'The battle line has been drawn. It is Dimagi Naxals Vs Patriotic Indians. Between those who believe in the Constitution of India Vs Anarchists.'

The Regime Change Row

The escalating rhetoric follows remarks made by Prashant Bhushan at a press conference on Thursday, where the senior advocate openly stated: 'Yes, we want regime change.' Rijiju, responding on Friday, urged 'patriotic Indians' not to forgive what he called 'traitors', posting: 'Dear Patriotic Indians… Remember: Forgive your Enemies once, Friends twice, but never Traitors.'

The Congress party has not publicly responded to the specific allegations regarding the London demonstration. The party has previously denied any organisational link to protests abroad that have been characterised as anti-India by BJP leaders.

What This Signals

The episode reflects a pattern of Indian political battles playing out on foreign soil — and, increasingly, on social media — as both the ruling party and sections of the opposition vie to define the terms of patriotism. Critics argue that such rhetoric risks inflaming domestic tensions without providing verifiable evidence of organisational ties between the Indian National Congress and the protesters in London. The government, however, appears intent on keeping the issue in the public domain ahead of a politically charged period.

With Rijiju continuing to post on X and the opposition yet to mount a coordinated rebuttal, the episode is likely to intensify in the coming days.