Strong Protest in London Against RSS Chief’s UK Visit, Demonstration Held Outside Parliament

Human rights activists and citizens staged a strong protest outside the British Parliament in London against the visit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat to the United Kingdom.

According to British and international media reports, protesters gathered outside the British Parliament, chanting slogans against what they described as the RSS’s alleged extremist ideology and demanding protection of minority rights in India. The demonstrators made it clear that any narrative targeting minorities would not be accepted.

According to reports by Indian publication Scroll.in and British newspaper The Independent, participants also strongly criticised what they described as the British government’s alleged silence over the promotion of Hindu nationalism. Referring to the 2002 Gujarat riots, protesters said history cannot be forgotten and called for the international community to unite against fascist ideologies.

It is worth noting that the policies of the RSS and BJP have previously faced criticism in Western countries. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom had earlier recommended taking a tough stance regarding visas for RSS leadership, while some Canadian parliamentarians have also described the spread of Hindu extremist ideologies as a threat to social peace in their country.

According to analysts, protests and reactions at the international level are contributing to growing global pressure over the Indian government’s policies concerning minorities.