- Friday, April 26, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
More than 40 Indian-American organisations have slammed repeated targetting of various Indian institutions and vandalism at their premises, including the recent attacks on Indian diplomatic missions in cities such as San Francisco, London and Brisbane.
According to the Indian-American bodies, such attacks have left the community in state of shock and fear.
Several eminent Indian-American individuals and bodies from diverse backgrounds — cultural, linguistic and religious — across the country issued a signed letter under the banner of ‘Indian Diaspora Against Hate’ condemning the violent attacks. In it, they called on all civic officials and federal, state and local law enforcement to ensure the safety of the Indian-American community.
Last month, Indian diplomatic missions in a number of countries came under attack from pro-Khalistan protesters soon after the police in the northern Indian state of Punjab issued a manhunt for fugitive radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh.
Among the cities where such attacks took place were San Francisco in the US where the Indian consulate general was attacked and vandalised; London where the protesting mob brought down the Indian Tricolour and Brisbane in Australia. Similar disturbances were also seen in Canada where the Indian high commissioner was forced to skip an event in British Columbia province following a violent protest by pro-Khalistan activists.
Representing Indian-Americans from various cities and geographical locations, the organisations and community members urged citizens to be cautious of hate groups and report them to the administration.
They have also urged the departments of homeland security and justice to monitor extremists’ activities, prevent hateful attacks and take decisive action against these perpetrators of hate.
“Many Hindu community leaders have been threatened and they even attacked my residence recently,” said Dr Romesh Japra, cardiologist and community leader.
Madhu H, Social activist from Southern California said, “Khalistani extremists have a long and tragic track record of violence, including being responsible for the downing of an Air India jet in 1985, killing more than 300 people.”
Venu M, a Hindu Leader from California State Capitol Sacramento was remembering the desecration of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the City of Davis, said “Indian-Americans are increasingly concerned about the lack of safety for Indian-American institutions in the wake of these attacks.”
The letter welcomed the statement of the state department condemning the attack against the Indian consulate in San Francisco. It also welcomed the statement made by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, rejecting hatred and attacks on Hindu temples.
It said that the community is concerned that the failure to check the violence by people who are motivated to disrupt peace and create a condition of fear is only encouraging an escalation in aggression, a media release said.
‘Indian Diaspora Against Hate’ is a forum to collaborate with Indian-American organisations, institutions, and Hindu temples who are concerned about the safety, security and well-being of the Indian diaspora and voice their opinion to the civic and law enforcement agencies.
(With PTI inputs)
