Violence, intimidation unacceptable: Boris on J and K protests on Deepavali

During the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session in Parliament, Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman spoke of the violent protests by similar “pro-Pakistani” groups at the London mission during Indian Independence Day celebrations on August 15 and sought action to prevent a repeat of the violence. “This is a police operational matter and the home secretary [Priti Patel] will be raising it with the police,” Johnson responded. “We must all be clear in this House that violence and intimidation anywhere is wholly unacceptable in this country,” he said. 

Blackman has been speaking out in favour of India since the decision to revoke Article 370 found echoes among Britain’s MPs. “This Sunday, there is the threat of 10,000 people being brought to demonstrate on Deepavali, the most holy day for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. What action is the government going to take to prevent violent protests this Sunday?” Blackman has also written to London Mayor Sadiq Khan urging him to take steps to ensure the so-called “Free Kashmir” march does not proceed.