London: A day after Khalistani supporters detached the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony and vandalised the Indian High Commission in the city, a man was arrested by the police, the BBC reported.
Videos on social media showed a crowd waving yellow “Khalistan” banners and a man detaching the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building.
A massive Indian national flag is now seen stretched across India House in London’s Aldwych with many social media users applauding the move.
#Watch | India’s bold Tricolour response to #Khalistani supporters in #London @HCI_London pic.twitter.com/9mA5ifVWe2
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) March 20, 2023
The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the incident. A spokesperson said: “Windows were broken at the high commission building. Two members of security staff sustained injuries. These are believed to be minor and they did not require hospital treatment.”
The External Affairs Ministry summoned British Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott late Sunday evening after the videos of the Indian flag being pulled down started circulating online.
The ministry demanded an explanation for “absence of security” at the high commission premises and said the UK government’s “indifference” to Indian diplomats and personnel was “unacceptable”.
Responding to the incident, former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal tweeted: “Act of Khalistanis to physically enter our mission premises in UK & take down our national flag with Khalistani flag waving elements milling outside is totally unacceptable”.
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal on vandalism of Indian High Commission in London@KanwalSibal#London #Khalistan #IndianFlag pic.twitter.com/F6JM9zL1Q7
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) March 20, 2023
UK’s Minister of State for Foreign Commonwealth & Development Affairs Lord Tariq Ahmed has tweeted that he was “appalled” by the attack on the Indian High Commission.
Am appalled by today’s attack on the Indian High Commission in London. This is a completely unacceptable action against the integrity of the Mission and its staff. The UK Government will always take the security of the Indian High Commission seriously.
— Lord (Tariq)Ahmad of Wimbledon (@tariqahmadbt) March 19, 2023
“Am appalled by today’s attack on the Indian High Commission in London. This is a completely unacceptable action against the integrity of the Mission and its staff. The UK Government will always take the security of the Indian High Commission seriously,” he has said.
London’s mayor Sadiq Khan said he condemned “the violent disorder and vandalism that took place”. “There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour,” he tweeted.
I condemn the violent disorder and vandalism that took place at the Indian High Commission today. There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour.
An investigation has been launched by the Met into today’s events.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) March 19, 2023
The British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis described the incident as “disgraceful” and “totally unacceptable”.
I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the @HCI_London – totally unacceptable.
— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) March 19, 2023