Shri Anandpur Sahib MP and National Spokesperson of the Congress, Manish Tewari has written to the US President Joe Biden urging him to ensure the security of the Sikh community living across the US which has been repeatedly targeted in hate crimes leading to several killings.
Expressing his deepest condolences to the US President over the horrific shooting at a Fed- Ex facility in Indianapolis that has claimed the lives of eight innocent people including four members of the Sikh community, Tewari said, the hate crimes against any community were unacceptable. “A hate crime is a hate crime, targeted against any community”, he remarked.
Pointing out that Indianapolis was not an isolated incident, he pointed out, “in August 2012 again, an attack on a Sikh temple (Gurdwara Sahib) at Oak Creek Wisconsin claimed seven innocent lives”.
Regretting that the members of the Sikh faith had once again become victims of a perverse mindset, he called for awareness campaign across the US about the Sikh community, suggesting, “it would be perhaps appropriate if certain mass sensitisation campaigns or other such activities are undertaken across the United States of America driven from the Federal level downwards”.
Recalling the 9/11 incidents, he said, “as we approach the 20th anniversary of the dastardly 9/11 attacks, it is regrettable but needs to be flagged that the aftermath of that catastrophe saw an increase in hate crimes targeting the Sikh community. If you may recall that on 15th of September 2001 in Mesa Arizona Balbir Singh Sodhi a Sikh American was murdered in a case of mistaken identity. Be that as it may, a hate crime is a hate crime, targeted against any community”.
Tewari referred to the great humanitarian services being rendered by the Sikh community across the world. “As you may be aware that the Sikhs are a very altruistic community. Most recently this spirit of selflessness was evidenced once again when the Sikh community of New York City served meals to health care workers, COVID affected patients, as the city was ravaged and unable to cope with rising cases of COVID-19. It is integral to the Sikh ethos to serve all those who need to be served de-prioritizing one's own needs for the greater good of society”, he pointed out.