Ludhiana, Punjab (August 21, 2012): As per reprots the India’s Independence Day (15 August) celebrations in UK’s east Midlands was cancelled in wake of protest by certain Sikh sections. According to an media reports Khalistanis “disrupted the event by preventing people from attending it and removing the tricolour” (Flag of India).
It is learnt that the program was going to be organized by an organization named Indian Workers Association (IWA). “The function was to be held on Saturday at the Ramgarhia Community centre in Coventry” reports Indian Express, with reference to “Agencies”.
India’s consul-general V. S. Ramalingam, based in nearby Birmingham, was scheduled to deliver a message from President Pranab Mukherjee at the event, but Bagri said he was asked to stay away due to the trouble.
The Lord Mayor of Coventry was scheduled to attend the event.
There are reports that over 100 people and IWA members who were prevented from attending the function raised pro-India slogans when the disruption led to the event’s cancellation.