(Image source from: Facebook/IndiaInUSA)
The ISI funded pro Khalistani groups in the United States has been relentlessly misusing the freedom of raising slogans and carrying out demonstrations of the country by disrupting Indian events.
While a large number of Indians were celebrating Indian Independence Day on August 15 at the Gandhi Square, outside the Indian Embassy in Washington, the pro-Khalistani group burst into raising anti-India slogans to sabotage the event.
However, the flag-waving and enthusiastic Indians completely outnumbered the members of the fringe group who were just around 10-12 people.
"We are celebrating a solidarity day for India. India has scrapped Article 370 and it is a big victory for Indian union... The Sikh community is with India. We have a government in India which has the representation of the Srimoni Akali Dal (SAD). They are the biggest Sikh community in India. They are the part of the government of India," said a demonstrator.
Another demonstrator said that the abrogation of Article 370 A is a true integration of India.
"This is India's Independence Day. It is a big day in India's history because the divisive politics of (former Prime Minister) Jawaharlal Nehru has been trashed now after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A... Which is a true integration of India." he said
"Now India can go as one nation, no second flag anywhere and Pakistan cannot mess around with it. It is legally India's Kashmir. Pakistan has no business in PoK. Pakistan must get out now," he added.
The Indian Embassy Residence in Washington observed India's 73rd Independence Day on August 15 with a flag-hoisting ceremony. For the first time, the event was made open to the public which saw a tremendous turnout of more than 500 members of the Indian American community.
Indian Ambassador Harsh Shringla interacted and greeted people who gathered for the celebrations.
(Image source from: Facebook/IndiaInUSA)
Also, an exhibition was organized on Mahatma Gandhi’s life and messages as part of his 150th birth anniversary at the Mahatma Gandhi Park in front of the Chancery building. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Gandhi Memorial Center, drew hundreds of visitors, including large scale participation from the Indian American community. A well known local band called 'Baraat Brass' played popular patriotic songs.
(Image source from: Facebook/IndiaInUSA)
Pakistan’s Appeal to Its Overseas Citizens
The Pakistan government on Saturday called on overseas Pakistanis to hold protests outside the Indian high embassies and commissions across the world on August 15. However, the embassy in Washington saw a handful of protesters along with the pro-Khalistan protestors.
Special Assistant to the PM for Overseas Pakistanis, Zulfi Bukhari said that the government had decided to observe August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day, as the day of solidarity with the Kashmiri people and August 15 as a black day to protest against India's decision to strip Occupied Kashmir of its special status in the constitution.
