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

      WATCH: Infectious Video Shows Laughter Amid Disaster Of New Brunswick's Floods

      WATCH: Infectious Video Shows Laughter Amid Disaster Of New Brunswick's Floods
      A New Brunswick man has posted an infectious video of his elderly parents checking out the family's flooded-ravaged cottage, demonstrating there can be laughter in disaster — and after 46 years of marriage.

      WATCH: Infectious Video Shows Laughter Amid Disaster Of New Brunswick's Floods

      British Council Awards For Three Indian Alumni Of UK Universities

      British Council Awards For Three Indian Alumni Of UK Universities
      Three Indian alumni of UK universities have been awarded by the British Council for their outstanding achievements and contribution to the country.

      British Council Awards For Three Indian Alumni Of UK Universities

      Want To Educate Public About Indian Community, Says First Sikh Mayor Ravi Bhalla In US’s Hoboken

      Want To Educate Public About Indian Community, Says First Sikh Mayor Ravi Bhalla In US’s Hoboken
      Ravi Bhalla, the first ever Sikh mayor of a city in New Jersey, hopes to educate the public about the Indian and South Asian community and the rights of all Americans under the Constitution.

      Want To Educate Public About Indian Community, Says First Sikh Mayor Ravi Bhalla In US’s Hoboken

      US Apologises After Canadian Minister Navdeep Bains Told To Remove Turban At Detroit Metro Airport

      US Apologises After Canadian Minister Navdeep Bains Told To Remove Turban At Detroit Metro Airport
      US security officials have apologised after a Sikh minister of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Cabinet was asked to remove his turban at a US airport before boarding a flight last year.

      US Apologises After Canadian Minister Navdeep Bains Told To Remove Turban At Detroit Metro Airport

      5 Kashmiris, Including Women, Beaten By Mob In Delhi Colony, Residents Say They Started It

      5 Kashmiris, Including Women, Beaten By Mob In Delhi Colony, Residents Say They Started It
      Four women and a youth hailing from Kashmir complained of assault by a mob of around 40 persons over a petty issue in the national capital, following which an FIR was lodged on Friday, police said.

      5 Kashmiris, Including Women, Beaten By Mob In Delhi Colony, Residents Say They Started It

      Indigo, Air Deccan Planes, 700 Metres Apart, Avert Mid-air Collision Over Dhaka

      A mid-air mishap was averted in the Dhaka airspace after an automatically generated warning alerted the pilots of IndiGo and Air Deccan planes, which came dangerously close to each other, allegedly breaching the mandatory separation limit, sources said.

      Indigo, Air Deccan Planes, 700 Metres Apart, Avert Mid-air Collision Over Dhaka

      PrevNext