Pro-Khalistan rally: Britain says people have right to protest

New Delhi : Ahead of a pro-Khakistan rally scheduled to be held in London on August 12, the British High Commission here said on Friday that people in Britain have the right to protest provided they stay within the limits of the law.

"People in the UK have a right to protest and to demonstrate their views, provided they act within the law," the High Commission stated on its Twitter handle.

"Should a protest contravene the law, the police have powers to deal with activities that spread hate or deliberately raise tensions through violence or public disorder," it said.

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a human rights advocacy group with radical leaning, has announced that it will hold what it calls a "London Declaration" on an independence referendum for the Indian state of Punjab at Trafalgar Square in London on August 12.

India on Thursday said it is for Britain to decide whether to allow an event that seeks to promote violence and secessionism.

"We have drawn their (Britain's) attention to the fact that the event in London is a separatist activity, which impinges on India's territorial integrity," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing here.

"We have said that it seeks to propagate violence, secessionism and hatred.

"And of course, we expect them (Britain) to take into account the larger perspective of the relationship when they take a decision in such matters."

Last month, India issued a demarche to Britain in this connection.