NEW DELHI – A day after India issued a demarche to the United Kingdom (UK)over an upcoming pro-Khalistan meet in London, the British high commissionsaid people had the right to demonstrate their views, as long as they werewithin the law.

In diplomatic parlance, demarche is a counter move or manoeuvre by acountry.

“In the UK, people have the right to gather together and to demonstratetheir views, provided that they do so within the law. However, we will nottolerate any groups who spread hate or deliberately raise community fearsand tensions by bringing disorder and violence to our towns and cities. Thepolice have comprehensive powers to deal with such activities,” said aspokesperson for the British high commission.

Sikhs for Justice (SJF), a separatist Sikh organisation, has planned acampaign next month on “London Declaration on Referendum 2020”, seeking aseparate Sikh state.

However, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar onThursday said a demarche has been issued, as the event is being organisedto spread hatred.

“As far as such small groups are concerned, I believe these are fringeelements and their job is to spread hatred and communal disharmony. We haveissued a demarche over it. We have told that this is an event to spreadhatred and they should not allow such events that impact on the bilateralties between India and the UK,” he said at a press conference.

Kumar further noted that most of the Sikh community abroad had “goodrelations” with India.