On 27 October, scores of Pakistani Muslims had gathered to ‘protest’ against India and the Indian government over the abrogation of Article 370 in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The mob, which had planned their protests on the occasion of Diwali to display their Hinduphobia and bigotry, also did not refrain from showcasing their sheer hatred.
The Pakistani Muslim mob had dragged an effigy of Prime Minister Modi and used it to display their vile hatred. The Muslim mob was seen crushing and stomping on the head of the effigy. The mob also cheered and encouraged each other to attack and vent their frustrations on the effigy.
Check this out. Truly shocking. Pakistani Muslims stamp on the head of an effigy of @PMOIndia in central London. On #Diwali of all days. This is sheer hatred and @metpoliceuk should arrest all concerned. pic.twitter.com/K1eZXLY29f
— David Vance (@DVATW) October 27, 2019
London-based Pro-Pakistani groups and UK branches of JKLF were behind the protest. Such organisations had already held violent protests in which Pakistani Muslims had attacked the Indian High Commission building at London multiple times in recent months.
However, the protests planned on Diwali were severely condemned by the Mayor of London, and other British Politicians, including PM Boris Johnson.
Following the concerns of safety raised by MP Naveen Shah and the Indian HC officials, the Mayor of London had notified the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police and British Home Secretary Preeti Patel.
British Indian groups also had severely condemned the vile plan to disrupt the major Hindu festival of Diwali by holding such protests. British Indians groups had called it ‘Hinduphobia and Racism’. Many British citizens and groups had also criticised the hateful idea behind holding such protests on the day of a major Hindu festival.
Following concerns and past instances of attack and violence, the Metropolitan police had upheld the restriction imposed under Section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986 against the October 27 protest and march. The protest was previously proposed to be held outside the Indian High Commission, but following the restrictions, the protest was toned down and moved away from the building.
The Pakistani groups, however, had used a coach to carry anti-Indian slogans. In reply, British Indian groups had also hired a van with Diwali messages on it.
Like other such protests in London and USA, the pro-Pakistani groups had arranged for buses to ferry people to the protest venue. Earlier reports stated that Mosques were used as pick-up points for the protestors.
British media personality Katie Hopkins was heckled and abused by the groups of Pakistani Muslim men ‘protesting’ in the name of Kashmir when she tried to criticise the protests and called out the blatant Hinduphobia displayed by the organisers by holding the protests on Diwali.