#ModiNotWelcome posters greet the Indian PM on the first day of his UK visit

Vans with digital posters bearing ModiNotWelcome hashtag greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the first day of his visit to the United Kingdom, in a bid to mobilise protestors against Indian leadership’s reluctance to explicitly censure recent incidents of rape in the country.

One of the digital posters read, “Why are Indians in Britain protesting PM Narendra Modi’s visit?” The question is replied to in the same poster. “Protector of rapists” is one of the four answers to the question.

“Proud Fascist and admirer of Hitler, (a) patron of lynch mobs killing Muslims and a supporter of caste and murders of Dalits,” the poster also reads, referring to the Indian PM.

A digital van was seen moving around the Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square, Embankment and Downing Street neighbourhoods of Central London. PM Modi met his British counterpart Theresa May at her residence in Downing Street in the morning. It is not clear if Modi saw any of these vans.

Amrit Wilson of South Asia Solidarity Group, a brain behind the demonstration, told National Herald from London that there were very serious questions that PM Modi hadn't answered. “We want to spread awareness about the horrific Kathua rape and murder case. We want to tell the world as to why PM Modi and the Indian leadership must be held accountable,” Wilson said.

The name of the Kathua rape victim, along with her digital image, was printed on another poster, carried on another van. The poster details the events in the Kathua case, also pointing that “PM Narendra Modi’s party leaders have been protesting in defense of the rapists.”

Many organisations in Britain have come together to make their voices heard. Rising atrocities against Dalits and minorities in the recent past, apart from political patronage being afforded to some of the accused, are some of the major issues these organisations have raised.

Besides, fifty-five women writers and activists wrote an open letter to PM Modi on the rise in rapes in the country in the recent past. The letter also mentions the alleged political patronage being enjoyed by some of the parties. The signatories include Meena Kandasamy, Sarah Green, Pragna Patel, Vivienne Hayes, Marai Larasi, Amber Raz and Kalpana Wilson among others.