YouTuber and Cockroach supporter Dhruv Rathee took his campaign against the Election Commission of India (ECI) to London on Saturday, 17 October 2026, leading a protest outside the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Parliament Square. However, the demonstration has drawn attention for another reason: the alleged participation of Pakistani nationals and the appearance of a flag associated with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The protest was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Rathee had called for taking the campaign to an international audience, declaring, “International danka bajane ka time aa gaya hai.”
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The gathering attracted hundreds of demonstrators, including Indian diaspora members and student groups, with a counter-protest also taking place at the venue.
However, social media posts highlighting the presence of individuals alleged to be Pakistani nationals have triggered questions about the composition of the demonstration and the people participating in a protest ostensibly centred on Indian democracy.
The protest was organised by SFI UK and azadi slogans were raised. The slogans include – RSS se Azadi, Modi-Shah se Azadi.
Attention has been drawn to a flag associated with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir at the demonstration.
Surprised to see this at the Dhruv Rathee London protest? The “flag” of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Why would any Indian wave this? While Indian flags are kept like rubbish on the ground? Unless you’re Pakistani or Pakistani funded & aided. https://t.co/elPwA4VAFD
— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) October 17, 2026
Pakistani reporters like Farid Qureshi were also present reporting on the protest.
@Bharatrastrsena Check Pakistani journalist asking modi shah resign in German shepherd protest in LONDON https://t.co/Gk253udD8f
— VIREN (@pahadi_souul) October 18, 2026
At the London protest, demonstrators raised slogans such as “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A smaller counter-protest saw participants waving the Indian tricolour and chanting “Vande Mataram” and “Modi, Modi.”
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