Activists and organisations against the curfew in India-administered Kashmir have criticised London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, following his condemnation of their upcoming protest.

The protest is set to take place on Sunday and is their first since August, when similar action was condemned by the Mayor for “violence and hostility”.

Mr Khan said that the last pro-Kashmir protest resulted in British Indians feeling “deeply threatened” and unsafe.

He also commented on the fact that this week’s protest is falling on the same day as the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali.

Given these concerns, the Mayor says he has been working with the Metropolitan Police to build a “robust” police response.

He warned that anyone found breaking the law will be punished accordingly.

Activists and organisations have hit back, claiming the unrest at last summer’s protest was overstated by the media, and that it was a largely peaceful affair.

They have also argued that it falling on Diwali is unrelated to their timing.

It is instead due to the fact that 27 October is historically known to Kashmiris as Black Day.

On 27 October 1947, their ruler Maharaja officially acceded power to India.

Mehroosh Tak, from the SOAS Solidarity with Kashmir movement, said that they are “extremely disappointed” with the Mayor’s condemnation.

The Mayor said that only the Home Secretary has the right to ban protests and has forwarded his condemnation to Priti Patel.

The Home Office has yet to react.

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HeadlinePro-Kashmir activists criticise Mayor ahead of Sunday protest

Short HeadlineMayor criticised for Kashmir protest condemnation

StandfirstThe protest is set to take place on Sunday and is their first since August, when similar action was condemned by the Mayor for "violence and hostility".

Activists and organisations against Indian curfew in Indian-occupied Kashmir have criticised London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, following his condemnation of their Sunday protest.

The protest is set to take place on Sunday and is the first after their August protest, which the Mayor alleged was full of ‘violence and hostility’.

He claims that the last pro-Kashmir protest resulted in British Indians feeling ‘deeply threatened’ and unsafe. He also commented on the fact that this week’s protest is falling on the same day as the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali. Given these concerns, the Mayor says he has been working with the Met Police to build a ‘robust’ police response. He warned that anyone found breaking the law will be punished accordingly.

Pro-Kashmir activists and organisations have hit back, claiming the unrest at last summer’s protest was overstated by the media, and that it was a largely peaceful affair. They have also argued that it falling on Diwali is unrelated to their timing. It is instead due to the fact that the 27th October is historically known to Kashmiris as ‘Black Day’. On this day in 1947, their ruler Maharaja officially acceded power to India.

Mehroosh Tak, from the SOAS Solidarity with Kashmir movement, has claimed they are ‘extremely disappointed’ with the Mayor’s condemnation.

Sadiq Khan recognises that only the Home Secretary, Priti Patel has the power to ban protests by law. As such, he has forwarded his letter of condemnation to the Home Office. There is no word from Priti Patel as of yet.