Police apologise for treatment of Sikh protesters at Indian Embassy demonstration

The Metropolitan Police have apologised for their treatment of Sikhs during a protest outside the Indian embassy.

Hundreds of Sikh demonstrators gathered outside the building in Kingsway in central London on Thursday, October 22, and a total of 20 people were arrested.

One police officer was taken to hospital with a head injury and Scotland Yard said the peaceful demonstration of a “small group of protestors turned violent towards police”.

Commander Mak Chishty, the Met's head of community engagement, said concerns had since been raised about the actions of some officers by representatives from the Sikh community.

One officer had been "deeply disrespectful" after taking a sacred flag from a protester, snapping its stick and throwing it on the floor, Cmdr Chishty said.

Police had also removed kirpans - a ceremonial knife carried by Sikhs - from two protesters following their arrests against the orders of a senior officer, he added.

Cmdr Chishty said: "I requested a meeting with the Sikh community as I had become aware of growing concerns over the policing of the protest at the Indian High Commission on Thursday October 22.

"An incident occurred where a Met Police officer is seen to take a Nishan Sahib, a sacred flag, from a protester, snap the stick and throw it to the floor. This is deeply disrespectful to the Sikh community and is not acceptable.

"I understand the distress and hurt that has been caused and I sincerely apologise to our Sikh community for this.

"I am also aware that kirpans were removed from two people once they had been arrested. This was against the direction of the senior officer present, who immediately apologised during the protest."

Officers deployed on future protests involving Sikh demonstrators would be briefed on the significance of the Nishan Sahib and kirpans, Cmdr Chishty said.

He added: "I would like to reassure the Sikh community that no disrespect or offence was intended and apologise for any distress, hurt or offence that has been caused."

Additional reporting by Press Association.