An Indian citizen named Gurpreet Singh has been charged by Police with a double stabbing at an Indian Independence Day event in western London.
On Tuesday, 15 August, the Indian British community was celebrating the Indian Independence Day street event in The Broadway, Southall, when some Khalistan supporters came there and started abusing them.
An eyewitness Rajvir Singh* (name changed) told The Australia Today, “Five Khalistani goons started abuses to India and Hindus.”
“We responded with slogans like, ‘Bharat mata ki jai’, ‘Vandematram’ and ‘Jai Sri Ram”
“All of a sudden one Khalistani man throws a punch at one of our boys (wearing a black T-shirt with Haryana).”
Rajivir says Khalistan supporters came there with a plan to disrupt the celebration.
A video footage taken by the social media group ‘Southhalls Finest’ shows the whole incident in detail.
“It was just chaos when this Khalistani with black pagadi which was also covering his face took out a knife and stabbed two people.”
Rajvir Singh* says, “A female police officer was next to that Khalistani Gurpreet Singh and after stabbing She ran after to catch him.”
London Met Police has told the media, “A member of the public informed them of an altercation that had taken place.”
“They found two men, in their 30s, with knife injuries. They were taken to hospital where their injuries were assessed as not life-threatening. They have since been discharged.”
25-year-old Gurpreet Singh, from Belmont Road, Ilford, was charged with serious offences of two counts of stabbing.
Superintendent Sean Lynch, responsible for neighbourhood policing in Ealing, said: “I recognise the enormous concern this incident will have caused, both in Southall and in the Sikh communities around London and further afield, in what was an otherwise largely peaceful and celebratory event.
“Our urgent investigation continues.
“We are aware of footage circulating on social media, with people also commenting on what they think happened. We would urge people to avoid echoing or adding to speculation.
Fortunately, none of those injured were seriously hurt and there were no fatalities.”
“Following the incident a Section 35 Dispersal Order was authorised in the area. This has since been removed,” Superintendent Lynch added.
“Mr Singh appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court Thursday 17 August morning. He was remanded in custody to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 14 September 2023.”
“A second man, aged in his 20s, was also `arrested and released on bail.”
“Two men were arrested at the scene. Singh [A] has since been charged with the above offences.”
“The other man [B] aged in his 20s has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.”
These Khalistani Goons not only stabbed innocent Indian British community members but also injured a Female police officer of the Met Police department.
“A female officer involved in detaining one of those arrested sustained a small cut to her hand. She did not need hospital treatment,” said Met Police in a statement.
Sarah L Gates Director of Hindu Human Rights in Australia. She has done extensive work on Hinduphobia specially issues faced by UK-based Hindus.
Ms Gates expressed concern that social media handles implicated in the Leicester unrest are again spreading Hinduphobic conspiracy theories.
“Tik Tok monitoring finds dehumanising tropes, threats to kill and anti-immigrant hate against Hindus and Indians. Hindu GBH victims are blamed for the incident.”
“Met Police comments on Sikh social media urging cessation of speculation, fails to call out the hate speech. It lacks cultural sensitivity for Hindus. Some content incites violence, including the shooting of Hindus.
“Met Police are requested to show suitable regard for victims and community safety in the wake of what appears to be a religiously motivated violent extremist incident.”
The investigation is ongoing and is being led by detectives from West Area CID. Enquiries continue.
Note: The Australia Today is trying to find more details and contact other stakeholders, as and when we receive it the story will be updated.
Support Our Journalism
Global Indian Diaspora needs fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon. Buy an annual ‘The Australia Today Membership’ to support independent journalism and get special benefits.