India Embassy in Italy Tells Nationals to Avoid Crowded Areas Amid Violent Protestsਇਟਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਦੂਤਾਵਾਸ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ: ਭੀੜ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਦਰਸ਼ਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਰਹੋ

The Embassy of India in Italy on Monday issued a safety advisory for Indian nationals across the country, urging them to exercise caution and stay away from crowded areas and protest sites after a weekend of violent unrest in several Italian cities. The advisory matters well beyond tourists: Italy is home to the largest Punjabi community in continental Europe, with many families settled in northern regions close to the cities where the worst clashes took place.

What exactly did the embassy say?

In a post on X, the embassy said: 'There were protests and demonstrations last week in some Italian cities. We advise Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid crowded areas and locations where protests are taking place and follow local news about such events.' Reports of the advisory also carried emergency contact numbers for Indians who need help: the Embassy of India in Rome at +39 331 614 2085 and the Consulate General of India in Milan at +39 3881647527. The advisory is a caution note, not a travel ban or an evacuation instruction.

What happened in Milan and other cities?

The protests, driven by anger over the rising cost of living and poor public services, turned violent in places over the weekend. In Milan on Sunday, police in riot gear fired tear gas and used water cannon after several hundred hooded protesters threw stones at officers, looted shops, broke shop windows and set bins on fire near the central Piazza Duomo, Reuters reported. More than 60 protesters were taken to a police station for further checks. A day earlier, 28 protesters were arrested after similar clashes in northern cities including Milan, Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin, according to a police report on Sunday.

How has Italy's government responded?

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, saying law enforcement officers had again faced attacks from criminals who exploit demonstrations through organised groups to seek confrontation and sow chaos. She expressed full solidarity with the security forces, while also saying she had great respect for the thousands of people who demonstrated peacefully, including those in the mobilisation called by the CGIL union. In Milan, she said, stones were thrown at officers who were injured; in Turin, people were stopped reportedly carrying cobblestones and hammers; and in Bologna, disorder led to the precautionary closure of the railway station.

For Punjabi and other Indian families in Italy, the practical advice is simple: avoid protest routes and crowded central areas on demonstration days, follow local news and official Italian announcements, and keep the embassy and consulate numbers saved. Jugti will update this story if the embassy issues a further advisory.

What should Indian nationals in Italy do now?

Follow the embassy's advice: exercise caution, avoid crowded areas and protest locations, and follow local news. Emergency contacts reported with the advisory are the Embassy in Rome at +39 331 614 2085 and the Consulate General in Milan at +39 3881647527.

Where did the violence take place?

Clashes were reported in Milan, where shops were looted near Piazza Duomo on Sunday, and on Saturday in Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin, with 28 arrests reported across the northern cities.

Why were people protesting in Italy?

The demonstrations were driven by discontent over the rising cost of living and the quality of public services, and some gatherings descended into violence over the weekend.