Members of the Indian diaspora in London staged a counter-protest in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government outside the Indian High Commission, as the Students’ Federation of India-UK
(SFI-UK) held a demonstration demanding electoral integrity and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The counter-protesters said the Modi government had a democratic mandate and accused the demonstrators of harming India’s image abroad.
The rival gatherings came amid protests in India over electoral reforms and demands for the CEC’s resignation.
#WATCH | London, UK | The Indian diaspora in London came out in support of PM Modi by staging a counter-protest against demonstrations by Congress-backed NSUI and other like-minded groups outside the Indian High Commission. pic.twitter.com/BRTrK0AzIX
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2026
‘PM Modi Has A Public Mandate’
Speaking to IANS, an Indian diaspora member in London said the gathering was intended to support the elected government.
“We are gathered here to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India because they were democratically elected by the people of India and have every democratic right to remain in power,” the person said.
Another diaspora member said protesters should raise their concerns without damaging India’s reputation overseas.
“Standing up for your rights and defaming India are two different things. You can raise your concerns, but you should not do so in a way that damages the country’s reputation on foreign soil,” the person told IANS.
SFI-UK Demands Electoral Accountability
Countering the gathering, SFI-UK said on X that it had protested outside the Indian High Commission, demanding electoral integrity and Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The organisation alleged that right-wing protesters had tried to disrupt its demonstration, but said its members stood firm and refused to be silenced.
LONDON STANDS WITH INDIA! ✊🇮🇳*
SFI-UK protest outside the High Commission of India, demanding electoral integrity and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. Despite attempts by right-wing thugs to disrupt the protest, our comrades stood firm, refusing to be silenced. pic.twitter.com/jP9hJbFnf3
— Students’ Federation of India – United Kingdom (@sfi_uk) October 16, 2026
The London demonstrations came as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations held protests in Delhi and other cities on Friday.
CJP Tiranga March
In the national capital, hundreds of protesters gathered at Connaught Place and Mandi House, demanding the CEC’s resignation, the rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the withdrawal of the 2023 Election Commissioner Appointment Act.
Police denied permission for CJP’s planned ‘Lehra Do Tiranga‘ march, citing prohibitory orders. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained while leaving his home to join the protest. Security was stepped up across New Delhi.
CJP supporters also organised demonstrations in cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, calling for electoral accountability.
(With inputs from agencies)
