Preparations are on to ensure that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is greeted with massive protests on his impending visit to the UK. In the run up to a huge Day of Protest on 12 November, several groups held a ‘Reclaim Diwali’ celebration on 6th November, with music and a feast including vegetarian and non-vegetarian and beef items. This Reclaim Diwali event was organised by the South Asia Solidarity Group, Dalit Solidarity Network, South Asian Women’s Creative Collective London, and Freedom Without Fear Platform as part of the Modi Not Welcome campaign.
On 8th November, the Modi Not Welcome Campaign projected the words “Modi not welcome” onto the Houses of Parliament building. The projection showed Modi wielding a sword in front of “an OM sign that is tragically being transferred to a Nazi swastika.”
The Modi Not Welcome protests are being organised by Awaaz Network, South Asia Solidarity Group, Sikh Federation UK, Southall Black Sisters, Dalit Solidarity Network UK, Indian Muslim Federation, Indian Workers Association, Muslim Parliament, and Voice of Dalit International.
After facing a rout in the Bihar elections and a wave of dissent and protest from writers and intellectuals in India, Modi is all set to face massive protests in the UK as well.
