Pakistanis, Bangladeshis Outnumbered Indians: BJP Leader On Dhruv Rathee's London Protest | Exclusive

News india Pakistanis, Bangladeshis Outnumbered Indians: BJP Leader On Dhruv Rathee's London Protest | Exclusive

Pakistanis, Bangladeshis Outnumbered Indians: BJP Leader On Dhruv Rathee's London Protest | Exclusive

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Last Updated: October 19, 2026, 09:49 IST

In an interview with CNN-News18, Kuldeep Shekhawat alleged that Pakistanis and Bangladeshis actively participated in the protest, raising anti-India slogans and targeting PM Modi.

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YouTuber Dhruv Rathee addresses demonstrators during a 'Stop Vote Chori' protest organized by the Indian Overseas Congress Youth Wing in London, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (PTI Photo)

Overseas BJP UK and Europe leader Kuldeep Shekhawat has alleged that Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals participated in a protest led by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in London over allegations of electoral irregularities in India, questioning their involvement in a demonstration concerning India’s democratic process.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Shekhawat raised questions about the composition of the crowd, the involvement of foreign nationals and the purpose of holding such a protest on British soil. He also questioned who financed Rathee’s visit to London, although he admitted having no evidence that the protesters were paid to participate.

‘Majority Of Protesters Were Pakistanis And Bangladeshis’

Shekhawat claimed that only a small proportion of those attending the protest were of Indian origin, while Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals had turned up in significant numbers.

According to him, no more than 50 to 70 participants were of Indian origin, with many allegedly associated with the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) or Congress-backed organisations operating in the UK.

He also claimed that some demonstrators carried flags and posters of the Indian Workers Association (IWA), which he described as a Congress-supported organisation.

Questioning Rathee’s involvement, Shekhawat said, “My first reaction to the whole story is what is Dhruv Rathee doing in London? Why is he dividing the Indian diaspora here in the UK?"

He further alleged that Rathee’s activities were creating divisions within the Indian community and affecting relations between India and the UK.

Shekhawat claimed that the majority of the Indian diaspora in Britain did not support Rathee’s actions and had distanced themselves from the demonstration.

No Evidence That Protesters Were Paid, Admits Shekhawat

When CNN-News18 specifically questioned him about evidence suggesting that Pakistani and Bangladeshi participants had been paid to attend the protest, Shekhawat acknowledged that he could not substantiate such a claim.

“Well, I cannot guarantee on that side that they were paid or not," he said.

However, he questioned why foreign nationals were participating in a protest centred on India’s electoral process.

Shekhawat also referred to an alleged Bangladeshi participant who, according to him, claimed to have lived in West Bengal for three years before returning to London after being removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

He alleged that Bangladeshi participants were also opposing the SIR exercise, claiming that some had previously lived in India illegally.

Indian Diaspora Staged Counter-Protest, Says Shekhawat

Shekhawat claimed that members of the Indian diaspora organised a spontaneous counter-protest against Rathee’s demonstration, expressing concern that the event could damage India-UK relations.

He maintained that the counter-protest was largely non-political and that only a small number of Overseas BJP members participated.

According to Shekhawat, most of those opposing the demonstration were ordinary members of the Indian community who had gathered independently.

He said the counter-protesters explained their concerns to local police when questioned about their presence.

“Sir, these people are anti-nationals. We have a very good relationship between India and the UK now, and these people are here to destroy that. So, we want to protest against these people," Shekhawat quoted the counter-protesters as telling police.

He also alleged that Pakistani protesters were seen carrying flags at the demonstration, describing their presence as a surprise to members of the Indian community.

‘Foreign Nationals Were Active Participants, Not Spectators’

Asked whether the participation of foreign nationals could affect the legitimacy of protests organised by Indians overseas, Shekhawat drew comparisons with previous demonstrations involving Khalistani and Pakistani groups outside the Indian High Commission in London.

He claimed that Khalistani groups had previously participated alongside Pakistani protesters in anti-India demonstrations, although he clarified that no Khalistani participants were present at the latest protest.

“Khalistanis have been mingling with the Pakistani crowd always. But yesterday, there was not a single Khalistani who was part of that that protest," he said.

Shekhawat alleged that several groups from different countries had participated in the latest demonstration and were actively raising slogans against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The worst part is they were part of the protest. They were not witnesses or spectators; they were all participating, shouting slogans, all anti-India slogans, and they were all targeting Prime Minister Modi," he claimed.

Questions Raised Over Funding Of Rathee’s London Visit

Towards the end of the interview, Shekhawat raised questions about the financing of Rathee’s trip to London.

Asked who was funding the protesters, he admitted that he had no confirmed information about any financial backing. “Well, I am not sure somebody is funding them," he said.

However, he claimed to have received information suggesting that Rathee had travelled first-class from Dubai to London and stayed at the Taj Hotel for two days.

“Who has funded that? It’s not cheap to stay in these kinds of hotels and travel first-class," Shekhawat questioned.

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Quick Answers Powered by Ask News18 What did BJP leader Kuldeep Shekhawat allege about the London protest led by Dhruv Rathee? Overseas BJP UK and Europe leader Kuldeep Shekhawat alleged that Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals significantly outnumbered individuals of Indian origin at Dhruv Rathee's London demonstration. He claimed that only 50 to 70 participants were of Indian origin, while foreign nationals actively participated by shouting anti-India slogans and targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What claims did Shekhawat make regarding the funding and travel of Dhruv Rathee? Shekhawat questioned the financing of Dhruv Rathee's trip to London, noting he lacked confirmed information on financial backing but claimed to have received details that Rathee travelled first-class from Dubai to London and stayed at the Taj Hotel for two days. How did members of the Indian diaspora respond to Dhruv Rathee's protest in London? Shekhawat stated that members of the Indian diaspora organized a spontaneous, largely non-political counter-protest against Rathee's demonstration out of concern that the event could damage India-UK relations. He noted that the counter-protesters explained their patriotic concerns to local police when questioned about their presence. Powered by Ask News18

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations and Security Affairs, Network18

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First Published: October 19, 2026, 09:49 IST

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