A New India
Chapter 285 - 285: The Resistance - III

London in the morning was beautiful and so was the unity of diaspora.

The Indian diaspora, bolstered by their allies and local sympathizers, marched peacefully but with unshakable resolve.

The streets were filled with the noise of slogans,chants, and the occasional murmur of reporters jotting down notes or recording the scenes.

In the midst of it all, Professor Ajay stood tall, speaking passionately into a megaphone. "We are not here to disrupt, but to demand acknowledgment. Our stories, our pain, and our contributions will no longer be ignored."

Meanwhile, the impact of these protests was magnified tenfold by the relentless coverage of medium and small newspapers.

For days, stories of tragedy, resilience, and injustice flooded the columns of these publications, touching a chord with readers across continents.

In The Southall Gazette, a heart-wrenching piece detailed the experience of an Indian family in Birmingham.

The article, titled "Builders of Britain: The Singh Family's Plight," described how Gurpreet Singh, a skilled carpenter, had been brutally attacked on his way home.

His young daughter, Amrita, had written a letter to the Queen, asking, "Why do they hate us when my papa builds their homes?"

In New York, The Hudson Review published a feature titled "Healers Under Fire," spotlighting Indian doctors in America who had faced racial slurs and threats despite their tireless contributions during a recent health crisis.

The article began with the line: "Dr. Meena Sharma saved 47 lives in one month. Now, she fears for her own."

A small Sydney newspaper ran a column titled "Silent Strength: The Indian-Australians Who Keep This Country Moving."

It featured interviews with Indian cab drivers, shopkeepers, and teachers, each recounting their quiet struggles and enduring hope. "I left my village in Punjab to build a better life here," said Ranjit, a shopkeeper. "I never thought I'd have to defend my right to exist."

These stories spread like wildfire, shared in cafes, read aloud in community centers, and discussed fervently on radio shows.

In London, the protests reached a new peak as the stories fueled public support.

A group of young British students joined the march, carrying signs that read, "Justice for All," and "End the Hate."

One of the students, Emma Watson, spoke to a reporter. (Hehe I know what y'all thinking)

"I read about the Singh family in The Southall Gazette. It broke my heart. These are hardworking people who just want to live in peace. How can we not stand with them?"

Nearby, an elderly British man approached the marchers, holding out a box of biscuits. "I remember the Indians who fought alongside us in the war," he said, his voice trembling. "You've done so much for this country. I'm sorry it's come to this."

The police presence was overwhelming.

Officers lined the streets, their faces impassive but their posture tense.

However, the peaceful nature of the protests left them with no pretext to act.

Cameras from major media outlets roamed the crowds, capturing every moment.

In Manhattan, the protests spread to the steps of the United Nations building. Vidhi Patel stood at the forefront, addressing a crowd of over ten thousand people.

"We are doctors, engineers, teachers, and laborers," she declared, her voice echoing through the plaza. "We have given to this country, to its economy, its culture, and its communities. And yet, we are vilified and attacked. This is not justice. This is not America."

A reporter from The New York Times approached Vidhi after her speech. "Ms. Patel, do you believe these protests will lead to real change?"

Vidhi's eyes burned with determination. "Change doesn't come from silence. It comes from persistence. We're not going anywhere."

Across the street, a young African-American man joined the protest, holding a sign that read, "Solidarity Against Hate."

When asked why he was there, he said, "Their fight is our fight. We've faced the same hate, the same ignorance. It's time we all stood together."

In Sydney, Raj Malhotra's protest outside the Parliament House had grown exponentially.

Local artists and musicians joined the movement, using their platforms to amplify the cause.

At one corner of the protest, a group of Indian women handed out leaflets detailing stories of discrimination.

One leaflet read: "Rajesh Kumar, a cab driver, was assaulted last month for refusing to break traffic rules. His crime? Doing his job with integrity."

Nearby, an Australian journalist interviewed a young Indian-Australian woman holding a placard that read, "We Are Australians Too."

"What do you hope to achieve with this protest?" the journalist asked.

The woman's voice cracked with emotion. "I want my children to grow up in a country where they don't have to prove their worth every single day. Isn't that what being Australian means?"

In government offices across these countries, the backlash against the protests was increasing.

In London, the Prime Minister once again held a closed-door meeting with his cabinet. "These protests are becoming a nightmare," he said, slamming his hand on the table. "And the worst part? They're peaceful. We can't justify cracking down without looking like tyrants."

One of his advisors hesitated before speaking. "We need to engage with them. At least make it look like we're listening."

The Prime Minister scoffed. "Engage with them? And what? Admit we've failed? No. We stay silent and hope they burn themselves out."

In Washington, the President paced his office, visibly agitated. "This is spiraling out of control," he muttered.

Rohan sat in his office, reviewing reports from Rao and KP Singh.

The protests were gaining traction, the narrative was shifting, and the governments of the host countries were caught in a bind.

Neeraj entered the room, a triumphant smile on his face. "Sir, the latest reports show a 30% increase in media coverage of the protests. Even some major outlets are starting to pick up the stories."

Rohan nodded, his expression unreadable. "Good. Let them watch. Let them learn. This is just the beginning."

Neeraj hesitated. "But sir, some backlash is inevitable. The governments won't stay silent forever."

Rohan's gaze hardened. "Let them retaliate. Every move they make will only strengthen our position. The people are on our side, Neeraj. And as long as that's true, we cannot lose."