Indian Embassy advises caution as protests rock Italian cities

The Indian Embassy in Rome on Monday advised Indian nationals in Italy to exercise caution and avoid crowded areas amid protests and demonstrations in several cities, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

The protests against the rising cost of living began peacefully across several cities on Sunday. However, rioters in Milan clashed with police, looted stores and set property ablaze.

In a social media post, the embassy said protests and demonstrations had taken place in some Italian cities last week. “We advise Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid crowded areas and locations where protests are taking place and follow local news about such events,” it said.

According to PTI, the embassy said Indian nationals could contact its office in Rome at +39 331 614 2085 in an emergency. They could also contact the Consulate General of India in Milan at +39 3881647527.

Condemning the violence, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday: “Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not.” In a post on X, she added: “I have great respect for the thousands of people who today demonstrated peacefully... Whatever the ideas for which one demonstrates, participation is the foundation of any healthy democracy.”

Meloni said stones were thrown at law enforcement personnel in Milan, injuring officers and forcing the procession to be stopped. She said people carrying cobblestones and hammers were stopped in Turin, while a railway station was closed in Bologna as a precaution.

She asked the opposition to unequivocally condemn the violence and make a clear appeal for every protest to remain peaceful.

The protests in Italy coincided with nationwide demonstrations in neighbouring France against rising living costs and in support of the grievances of high school students. Amid the unrest, the Indian Embassy urged Indian nationals to remain cautious, avoid protest sites and monitor local news.

With PTI Inputs

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