Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, has reiterated his condemnation of violence outside the Indian high commission as part of protests on August 15 and September 3.
In the latest issue of ‘Asian Voice’, a leading British Asian publication, Pakistan origin leader paid tributes to the Indian community, adding that he was ‘deeply upset’ over the violence and promised to do ‘everything in my power’ to prevent such incidents.
The protests were organized to oppose revoke of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir – Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. India’s federal set up led to a diplomatic row between New Delhi and London. Prime Minister Boris Johnson later expressed regret over the incidents.
Condemning the attacks in the ‘strongest possible terms’, Khan wrote he knows and understands why many in the British Indian community are shaken. And he absolutely agreed that what happened was completely unacceptable.
He wrote that this kind of behavior goes against everything we stand for in London and the open, liberal values we hold so dear… He stated he immediately raised the matter with the Metropolitan Police and his team has been in touch with the Indian High Commission to offer support throughout.
He also stated in the book saying 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 behavior that took place outside the Indian High Commission should never be tolerated and said he 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.
Mentioning that his parents and grandparents were born and raised in India, Khan called to mind his visit to the country in 2017 and said Londoners of Indian origin have made a huge and invaluable contribution to our city over the decades.
He wrote that 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.
During the annual conference, the Labour party reiterated its human rights-focused stand on Jammu and Kashmir in a resolution.
