Protests In Support Of Indian Farmers Take Place In London, Cities Across USA
On Sunday, London witnessed thousands of people protesting over the Indian government's agricultural reforms. According to Press Trust of India, several people were arrested for violating COVID-19 safety rules.
On Sunday, London witnessed thousands of people protesting against the Indian government's agricultural reforms. According to the Press Trust of India, several people were arrested for violating COVID-19 safety rules.
Demonstrators gathered outside the Indian embassy and groups marched around the Trafalgar Square area.
Also read: Violence Erupts In New Paris Protests As Thousands March Against Security Bill
Reuters
Police officers asked people to disperse from the protest and also warned them that they are violating the COVID-19 safety rules which are set in place to prevent the spread of infection. Demonstrations with larger than 30 people are liable to arrests and fine in the UK.
People held up placards with messages such as, 'Justice for Farmers' and 'I stand with farmers'. The protestors cars even blocked roads and there was little to no social distancing; people were also not wearing face masks.
"Our High Commission has been coordinating closely with the authorities concerned and we will, together with them, address the issues that have come up - for example how this gathering of thousands could take place without specific permission," an Indian High Commission spokesperson was quoted as saying by PTI.
"It soon became clear that the gathering was led by anti-India separatists who had taken the opportunity of the protests in India to ostensibly back the farmers in India but use the opportunity to pursue their own anti-India agenda," the spokesperson said.
AFP
The High Commission reiterated the government's stance that the protest against agriculture reform bills in India is part of an internal democratic process.
"It is work in progress in our functioning democracy. The government of India is in talks with the protesters which are still ongoing. Needless to say, it is an internal issue of India," the spokesperson added.
Also read: 'Our Farmers Are Food Soldiers', Priyanka Chopra Extends Support To The Farmers' Protest
REX
The protest comes after a group of 36 British MPs led by British Sikh Labour MP, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, had written to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, asking him to make representations to his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, over the protests in India.
According to a report by ANI, there were also some Khalistan flags seen at the protest outside the Indian High Commission. Anti-India slogans were also raised while pro-farmers placards were waved around.
Protests outside Indian high commission in London against Farmers bill.
¡ª Ashok M (@shooks_kwan) December 6, 2020
Khalistan Flag seen ! pic.twitter.com/GZ87RYnmex
This, however, is far from being the only protest that took place abroad.
Protestors took to the streets in the US to protest against the three new farm laws that have agitated the Indian agricultural community. People in several cities across America came out in support of Indian farmers.
People on their way to the Indian Consulate in San Francisco from various parts in California, blocked traffic on the Bay Bridge on Saturday, while hundreds of protestors gathered in downtown Indianapolis.
Bay Area News Group
The protest in Bay Area was organised by the Jakara Movement - a California-based grassroots organisation which works towards strengthening community engagement and building empowerment by focusing on issues of civic engagement, education, health, and social justice.
¡°Farmers are the soul of any nation. We must protect our soul. People around the world, including many cities in the US and Canada, have come together to dispose of the bills that will open India's agricultural market to the private sector; allowing major corporations to take over independent farming communities and dilute crops' market value,¡± said Indiana-based Gurinder Singh Khalsa.
On Sunday, a protest rally took place outside the Indian Embassy in Washington DC. Protestors held up slogans such as 'No Farmers, No Food' and 'Save the farmers'.
Farmer Protest: Washington DC pic.twitter.com/HjKPZKZxr3
¡ª Shirin Khan ????? (@KhanShirin0) December 6, 2020
Protesting farmers in India have been sitting on the borders of Delhi for the last 11 days. While the farmers believe that the new reforms are 'anti-farmer', the Indian government believes it will provide them with better opportunities.
