Angry Muslim Protesters Gather Outside Sikh-Owned Restaurant in West London Over His Refusal to Grant Their Demand

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside an Indian restaurant in west London on Friday night, demanding that it should be shut down because its Sikh owner refuses to sell halal food.

The restaurant, called Singh’s Dining, was previously known as Rangrez and is located in Hammersmith, west London.

A large crowd gathered outside the restaurant, forcing Metropolitan Police officers to stand in front of the building to keep protesters away.

Private security guards were also seen standing behind the police officers. According to reports, the guards were paid for by British comedian and actor John Cleese, who is known for his role in Fawlty Towers.

John Cleese has previously shown support for the restaurant and its owner.

The restaurant has a handwritten sign displayed outside that reads, “Proudly we don’t sell halal.”

The owner, Harman Singh Kapoor, is a Sikh businessman who has refused to include halal meat on his restaurant’s menu.

However, the disagreement is not only about the food being sold.

Some critics have accused Kapoor of making offensive comments about Muslims, halal meat and the war in Gaza through his social media accounts.

Kapoor, on the other hand, claims that he and his family have received hundreds of death threats because of his decision not to sell halal food.

He says they have faced harassment, threats and attempts to frighten them.

He also claims that his business has lost money because some people have called for customers to stop eating at his restaurant.

According to Kapoor, he has repeatedly contacted the Metropolitan Police asking for protection for himself, his family and his business.

He claims that despite his requests, the police have not provided the additional security he believes his family needs.

Things took another turn on Friday when Kapoor was arrested at his home in west London, just hours before the planned protest.

His arrest meant that his wife, Khushi, was left to deal with the situation at the restaurant while protesters gathered outside.

Reports suggested that his arrest was connected to a social media post involving Islam.

However, police later confirmed that a 54-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of possessing and distributing an extreme image.

Kapoor also confirmed his arrest in a video shared on social media.

During the protest, his wife was seen holding a sign at the restaurant window thanking John Cleese for helping the family.

The sign said, “John Cleese is paying to defend this restaurant – because Met Police won’t.”

In another video, Khushi thanked the comedian for his support and for sending security guards to protect the restaurant.

Outside the building, protesters could be heard shouting different slogans.

Some shouted “Allahu Akbar,” meaning “God is greatest,” while others shouted “Shame on you” and “Free Palestine.”

Several protesters were also seen waving Palestinian flags.

In another video shared online, a man holding a microphone asked the crowd what they wanted to happen to the restaurant.

He referred to the owner using an insulting word before asking the protesters what they wanted.

The crowd responded by shouting, “Shut them down!”

The protest attracted attention because of the disagreement over halal food and Kapoor’s previous social media posts.

In one post, Kapoor shared pictures of himself holding strips of bacon, which Muslims do not eat because pork is forbidden under Islamic dietary rules.

He wrote alongside the pictures, “Behold. Bacon can save Western countries.”

In another post, he filmed a meat counter and wrote, “Top quality pork on sale at Harrods.”

These posts have attracted criticism from people who believe his comments are offensive towards Muslims.

Kapoor has also claimed that people he describes as Islamists have threatened him.

He says eggs have been thrown at his restaurant windows on several occasions.

After his arrest on Friday, Kapoor shared a video showing himself with police officers before being taken into a police car.

He explained that he had spent several days asking the Metropolitan Police for help because he was worried about the safety of his family.

He said he had contacted officers many times to explain the threats they were receiving.

However, instead of receiving the protection he wanted, he was arrested at his home on the morning of the protest.

Kapoor said he was frightened because he was being taken away in handcuffs while his family remained at the restaurant, where protesters were expected to gather.

He insisted that the situation was about more than his restaurant’s decision not to sell halal food.

According to him, his family has been dealing with threats, harassment and attempts to frighten them.

He said they simply want to live peacefully, operate their restaurant and make their own business decisions without being threatened.

Kapoor also argued that no family should have to live in fear because of the type of food they choose to sell.

He called for safety, justice and equal treatment, saying the protection of his family should come first.

Meanwhile, police officers remained outside the restaurant during the demonstration to prevent protesters from getting too close to the building.

The restaurant is located near Hammersmith Grove, an area of west London where well-known figures such as actor Ralph Fiennes and comedian Bill Bailey live.

The incident has attracted attention on social media, with people discussing the restaurant owner’s decision not to sell halal food, his controversial online comments, the protest and the police response.

Some have focused on the owner’s right to decide what food his business sells, while others have criticised his social media comments about Muslims.

The Metropolitan Police later confirmed details of the arrest.

A police spokesperson told the Daily Mail that a 54-year-old man was arrested on Friday, November 13, on suspicion of possessing and distributing an extreme image.

The spokesperson said the man had been taken into police custody and remained there at the time of the statement.

Police did not confirm in that statement whether the arrest was directly connected to the dispute over halal food.

The situation has raised questions about freedom of expression, religious differences, business owners’ rights and how police respond when public disagreements lead to protests and alleged threats.