A deep sense of outrage has gripped India against the United Kingdom and the United States after some Sikh extremists targetted Indian diplomatic missions in these countries on Sunday.
The incidents came a day after a police crackdown against a Sikh extremist leader Amritpal Singh in India’s Punjab state, triggering protests by his supporters against New Delhi in the West.
Why is West Abeiting Sikh Separatists?
"At both the locations, they tried to bring down the Indian national flag. (This is the) third time in as many years that our embassy has been attacked so brazenly in the UK. Where is the security?” noted Indian commentator Anand Ranganathan questioned on Monday.
He said that the British authorities would have “gone beserk” had the Union Jack been taken down by vandals at the British High Commission in New Delhi.
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal said that Sikh extremists have been "emboldened by laxity"of British authorities, who have failed to take action against Khalistanis despite repeated protests by New Delhi.
Senior Indian journalist Smita Prakash called upon the Indian authorities to track down the relatives of those involved in the vandalizing of the Indian mission in London.
She said that government documents identifying them as people of Indian-origin should be cancelled. “Until it hurts them, they won’t stop,” Prakash stated.
Yet another social media user questioned if the western governments would “tolerate” similar attacks on their missions in India.
“Then why they are allowing such attacks on Indian missions risking lives of Indian diplomats? Despite all efforts, no action is taken against them, why?” asked an outraged Indian user.
Political Parties Slam Attack on Indian Missions
Major Indian political parties, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and main opposition party Congress, have come down heavily against the extremists who targeted Indian missions.
A statement released by the UK chapter of the BJP said that the High Commission attack has “left many of us in shock and disbelief”.
“The act of extremism and destruction is deeply troubling and cannot be justified under any circumstances,” said the Overseas Friends of the BJP (OFBJP).
A spokesperson for the Congress said that New Delhi won’t tolerate any secessionist ideology, which would be seen as a declaration of “war”.
“And the rules of war apply!”, stated Tehseen Poonawala.
India Summons British Diplomat in New Delhi
Late on Sunday evening, the Indian Foreign Ministry registered a strong protest against the attack at its London mission with the senior most British diplomat in New Delhi.
“An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises.
She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention,” a statement from the Indian Foreign Ministry read.
New Delhi further conveyed to the UK that the “indifference” of the British authorities to the Indian diplomatic personnel was “unacceptable” while further asking for “immediate steps” to arrest and prosecute those involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, the UK Metropolitan Police has reportedly arrested a person involved in Sunday’s attack.