BRITISH Pakistani groups-led protests turned violent outside the Indian high commission in London on Tuesday (3) resulting in the arrest of two people.
The Indian authorities will take up with the UK the matter of damage inflicted to the Indian high commission in London during the protests yesterday, media has quoted sources familiar with the matter on Wednesday (4).
India’s concerns will also be communicated to the British officials when the latest development is discussed through diplomatic channels, reports added.
Further, what’s worrying India is the manner in which the continuing protests have been played down by the UK authorities.
Hundreds of protesters assembled outside the Indian high commission yesterday to protest against ending the special status for Jammu and Kashmir.
Commenting on the incident, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said:"Two people were arrested for criminal damage and remain in custody."
The violent protests took place after the Indian government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's decades-old special status under Article 370 and split the region into two union territories.
This was the second violent protest in a time span of 30 days following the fierce demonstrations outside the Indian high commission on August 15.
Pro-Pakistani and Khalistani protesters threw stones and eggs at Indians gathered outside the high commission building during India’s independence day celebrations in the UK.
The UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab has condemned the violence yesterday, calling it "deplorable".
Raab told the British parliament: "It is absolutely right that any violence is deplorable. It shouldn't be conducted in this country, or anywhere else for that matter, at any individual communities.
“What we now need to do is try and reduce those tensions, but also, on a positive side, build up confidence-building measures to allow proper dialogue between the communities in Kashmir and between India and Pakistan."
"Another violent protest outside the Indian High Commission in London today, 3 September 2019. Damage caused to the premises," Indian high ommission tweeted.
The embassy also tweeted a picture of a cracked window pane in the building.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)