Congress workers protest against Modi govt outside high commission in London

LONDON Dec 17: London chapter of Congress staged a ‘Bharat Bachao’ rally outside the Indian High Commission on Saturday (December 14). It was in alignment with all the other similar rallies across the world initiated by the Congress.

“We want to expose BJP failures. The unemployment rate is high and the economy is in a terrible state. Forget Beti Bachao, Modi could not save beti [daughter]. We are protesting so that our voice is heard by the government of India. By doing so, at least they would try to change their policies,” Kamal Dhaliwal, President of UK Congress, said.

On being asked about the purpose of doing it outside the Indian High Commission in London, Indian Overseas Congress spokesperson Sudhakar Goud said, “Indian High Commission is representative of the Indian government and as per ‘Bharat Bachao’ rally call given by Congress, we have protested against the Modi government’s failures.”

Talking about the reason to hold a rally outside India on the issues concerning the domestic politics of the country and possibly tarnishing the image of India, Kajri Babbar, one of the participants, said, “I believe that it is important to raise our voice internationally because unfortunately in India today, we do have freedom of speech but not freedom after speech.”

“Secondly, what is wrong and unjust is wrong any and everywhere. Human rights and equality are global issues. India and Indians are no more limited to just the boundaries of India. We are a global power today and hence our issues are global issues,” she said.

Adding on to this, Kamal Dhaliwal said, “Historically the UK has special importance as Indian freedom movement also started from here. Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar were NRIs during the freedom struggle and led the freedom movement.”

Criticising the Modi-Shah duo and “wrong priorities of the government”, Taffazzel Hossain, Vice-President of Indian Overseas Youth Congress, UK asked the Modi government: “Why no strong policies to handle the economic crisis? While the government is portraying itself to be farmer-friendly, why are the onion farmers getting less than Rs 20 for what could be onions for Rs 200? Who are the middle layers in the market? Why is the government silent on women’s safety?”