NEW DELHI: London witnessed live India vs Pakistan drama when the diaspora members from both the nations took to streets outside the Indian high commission to counter each other’s protests. Waving their national flags, demonstrators lined opposite sides of the road, engaging in a heated slogan battle over the Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 25 Indians and one Nepalese citizen.
“Pakistanis protested outside the Indian High Commission and we gathered here for a solidarity protest to counter their protest. We are all protesting peacefully,” a member of Indian diaspora told ANI.
However, another protestor claimed that the Pakistani demonstrators were “abusing” them. “We are holding a peaceful protest here. The people in front of us (Pakistani protestors) are abusing us, but we are sitting here peacefully,” he said.
A heavy Metropolitan Police presence was observed, with numerous officers positioned between the two groups of demonstrators to maintain order.
This comes only a day after a confrontation broke out outside the Pakistan high commission between the two protesting groups. Videos shared on social media by Indian community members from Friday evening’s demonstration showed a Pakistani diplomatic official making threatening gestures and taunting the protesters from the balcony of the mission building at Lowndes Square.
At least one person was arrested after police officers pursued and detained a protester on charges of racial abuse.
Meanwhile, tensions between the two nations have escalated with India accusing Pakistan of being involved in the Pahalgam terror attack and the latter denying the charge. Additionally, India, in retaliation, suspended Indus Water Treaty, closed its borders and cut off the trade ties with Pakistan.