Congress leader slams Modi govt, Akalis over London Khalistan rally

Nazir Ahmed Lord Nazir Ahmed speaking at the pro-Khalistan rally in London | Twitter handle of Lord Nazir Ahmed

A day after hundreds of people held a pro-Khalistan rally in London's iconic Trafalgar Square, Randeep Singh Surjewala, communications in-charge of the Congress party, on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government and opposition Akali Dal of a “conspiratorial silence” over the issue.

Surjewala tweeted, “As a sinister conspiracy is hatched to revive militancy in Punjab, why are BJP-Akali Dal mum? Why has the 56’ Modi Govt been stunned into a conspiratorial silence?”

The rally by pro-Khalistan groups highlighted the theme of 'Referendum 2020', which calls for organising a referendum for establishing an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab. Lord Nazir Ahmed, a peer of the House of Lords, who is of Pakistani origin, had been one of the main supporters of Referendum 2020 and was a speaker at Sunday's rally.

The ministry of external affairs expressed its disappointment at the UK police for granting permission for the Referendum 2020 event, noting that the decision did not take into account the ties between the countries.

Interestingly, pro-India groups held counter-events at Trafalgar Square to coincide with the Referendum 2020 rally. The “We Stand With India” and “Love My India” events were held in designated areas away from the Referendum 2020 rally and attracted hundreds of supporters. Both pro-Khalistan and pro-India rallies passed off peacefully.

The BJP had on Sunday dismissed the Referendum 2020 rally as a “useless exercise by a desperate group of radicals”, who had no support from Punjabis across the world.

Tarun Chugh, national secretary of the BJP, argued Referendum 2020 was an “anti-national” proposal aimed at creating communal trouble in and outside Punjab.

Chugh echoed the words of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who had earlier claimed Referendum 2020 was an attempt by Sikh radicals backed by Pakistan's ISI to create strife in India.

(With PTI inputs)

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