The Birmingham City Council withdrew permission to organisers of a rally to commemorate the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani outside the Council House on July 8, following a strong protest by the Indian high commission.
India had issued a ‘note verbale’ to the foreign office on Monday, asking London to stop the rally, which was billed as a ‘Kashmir Rally’. Its posters and announcements carried a photo of Wani, who was killed on July 8, 2016, followed by a prolonged period of unrest in Kashmir.
A Birmingham Council spokesperson told HT: “We took a booking for a peaceful rally highlighting the human rights abuse in Kashmir. However, we are now aware of concerns raised about the promotional leaflet and, having assessed the material, have not given permission for the use of Victoria Square.”
The withdrawal of permission marks a significant development in India-UK relations.