Close X
    Thursday, January 16, 2025
    ADVT 
    International

    UK Takes Cautious Line On Pro-Khalistan Sikhs For Justice Meet

    Darpan News Desk IANS, 11 Jul, 2018 12:37 PM
      The British High Commission in India on Wednesday reacted cautiously to reports that Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a separatist organisation, has offered to sponsor youth and political activists from Punjab to travel to London for a meeting on August 12 this year. 
       
       
      The August meeting is proposed to shape up the ‘London Declaration On Referendum 2020’ campaign seeking a separate Khalistan. 
       
       
      Referendum 20 20

      ਲੰਡਨ ਐਲਾਨਨਾਂਮਾ 12 ਅਗਸਤ 2018 ਰਫ਼ਰੈਂਡਮ 2020 Update - Referendum 2020

      Posted by KTV on Wednesday, 11 July 2018
       
       
      Asked if it reflects the UK government policy to support separatist elements, the British High Commission spokesperson in Delhi told The Tribune: "In the UK people have the right to gather together and to demonstrate their views, provided that they do so within the law”. 
       
       
      Reports citing Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the legal advisor to SFJ based in New York, suggested that the organisation plans to provide sponsorship letters to participants from Punjab and also arrange free stay for them from August 10-14. 
       
       
      The SFJ that has initiated a social media campaign for the meeting at Trafalgar Square has proposed to unveil a declaration advocating for “Sikhs’ right to self-determination for the independence of Punjab”. 
       
       
      Pro-Khalistan elements on British soil have been a sensitive topic in bilateral ties between New Delhi and London. Earlier in April this year India had lodged a strong protest with UK after the Tricolour was burnt by Khalistani elements at Parliament Square even as Prime Minister Modi was addressing the Diaspora in Westminster. 
       
       
      “However, we will not tolerate any groups who spread hate or deliberately raise community fears and tensions by bringing disorder and violence to our towns and cities and the police have comprehensive powers to deal with such activities,” added the British High Commission spokesperson today.  
       
       
      SFJ that calls itself an international advocacy group has reportedly asked interested students and activists in Punjab to Whatsapp their IDs and passport details to provide them a sponsorship letter to attend the meeting, which would be necessary to obtain a visa.  
       
       
      “Any visa application would be subject to the normal checks and requirements, regardless of who the sponsor is,” the UK High Commission said.
      Prev Next

      MORE International ARTICLES

      Over 80 Indian-Americans Running For Public Offices For November Elections

      Over 80 Indian-Americans are running for the mid-term elections in November with a majority of them contesting on a Democratic party ticket, according to a former White House official.

      Over 80 Indian-Americans Running For Public Offices For November Elections

      Britain Becomes Land Of Self-Made Millionaires

      Britain's self-made billionaires and millionaires make up more than 90 per cent of the country's 2018 rich list that was published on Sunday, with two Indian-origin brothers ranking second.

      Britain Becomes Land Of Self-Made Millionaires

      Gender Bias Kills Over 200,000 Girls In India Each Year: Lancet

      Gender Bias Kills Over 200,000 Girls In India Each Year: Lancet
      Apart from the rising number of female foeticide cases in India, more than 200,000 girls under the age of five die each year in the country, finds a Lancet study led by an Indian-origin researcher.

      Gender Bias Kills Over 200,000 Girls In India Each Year: Lancet

      Airline Starts 'Cheapest Flight' From Delhi To New York. Via Iceland

      Airline Starts 'Cheapest Flight' From Delhi To New York. Via Iceland
      Wow Air said that it is offering an introductory basic fare of Rs. 13,499 to fly to destinations in North America and Europe.

      Airline Starts 'Cheapest Flight' From Delhi To New York. Via Iceland

      9/11 And Y2k Brought India, US Together In Post-Cold War Era: Indian Envoy Navtej Sarna

      9/11 And Y2k Brought India, US Together In Post-Cold War Era: Indian Envoy Navtej Sarna
      Speaking about India and the US, Indian Ambassador Navtej Sarna said, "Both are democracies; that there is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multilingual society which sees the world in the same way as America does

      9/11 And Y2k Brought India, US Together In Post-Cold War Era: Indian Envoy Navtej Sarna

      Renowned Physicist EC George Sudarshan Dies At 86

      Renowned Physicist EC George Sudarshan Dies At 86
      The cremation of eminent Indian-American theoretical physicist, EC George Sudarshan who died on Sunday in Austin, Texas will be held on Thursday.

      Renowned Physicist EC George Sudarshan Dies At 86

      PrevNext