Navya Naveli, Pune
On Tuesday, India’s Independence Day, security was increased outside the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, in the wake of protests by pro-Khalistan supporters.
A tiny number of separatist Sikhs had planned to organize demonstrations at the 77th anniversary of India’s independence celebration in front of the Indian Embassy. The overwhelming presence of police in the images left the pro-Khalistan fans speechless. Near the Embassy, there was a long lineup of police cars, including those from the Washington DC Police, US Park Police, and US Secret Service, as well as a row of obstacles.
The ceremony was attended by a sizable number of Indian Americans, and Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Indian ambassador to the US, hoisted the Indian flag while paying honour to Mahatma Gandhi. Supporters of Khalistan have in the past assaulted Indian representatives all across the world. The pro-Khalistan protesters recently ambushed and set fire to the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on March 19, not just in the UK, Australia, or Canada, but also in other countries. The Indian Americans promoted a strong sense of displeasure and pushed for the perpetrators to be swiftly held responsible for the demonstrations. Even though there were no injuries, and it has been described as a ‘terror attack,’ the investigation is still going on by the Local San Francisco police department, special diplomatic security personnel, and state and federal authorities.
The representatives of the Indian Embassy were threatened by the radical groups that were trying to incite unrest in San Francisco by smashing the boundaries. Even if the intervention of law enforcement prevented them from causing damage to the property, they were nonetheless able to access and hang two Khalistan flags inside the Consulate.
The Khalistan protesters attempted to torch the Indian Consulate in San Francisco once more on July 2. According to India, funding shouldn’t be given to those who justify terrorism or violence as forms of free speech.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Arindam Bagchi, said that the protection of the diplomats and the Indian Embassies is of the utmost importance to the government. New Delhi has brought this up with the nations in question.