Hundreds protest outside London restaurant over Sikh owner's "proudly non-halal" label

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside an Indian restaurant in west London on Friday, demanding its closure after its Sikh owner advertised it to be "proudly non-halal".

The protest took place outside Singh's Dining, formerly known as Rangrez, in Hammersmith. The restaurant, owned by Harman Singh Kapoor, displays a sign reading "Proudly non-halal" on its shopfront.

Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans, including "Allahu Akbar", "Shame on you" and "Free Palestine".

Metropolitan Police officers formed a line to keep the crowd away from the restaurant. Private security guards were also present.

Kapoor has faced criticism over his refusal to serve halal meat and his social media posts about Muslims and the conflict in Gaza. He has claimed that he and his family received hundreds of death threats and faced harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence.

The restaurant owner has also alleged that protesters threw eggs at the restaurant's windows. He said the controversy had affected his business financially and that repeated requests for additional police protection had not been addressed.

In a further development, Kapoor was arrested at his west London home hours before the planned protest on Friday. His arrest is believed to be connected to a social media post referencing Islam.

In a statement accompanying a video of his arrest, Kapoor said he had repeatedly sought police protection for his family and business.

"This protest is not simply about our business selling non-halal food. It is also about the harassment, intimidation and threats of violence that my family and I say we have been experiencing," he said.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told the Daily Mail, "A 54-year-old man was arrested on Friday, 13 November, on suspicion of possession and distribution of an extreme image."