Shri Anandpur Sahib MP and National Spokespersonof the Congress, Manish Tewari has written to the US President Joe Biden urginghim to ensure the security of the Sikh community living across the US which hasbeen repeatedly targeted in hate crimes leading to several killings.
Expressing his deepest condolences to the USPresident over the horrific shooting at a Fed- Ex facility in Indianapolis thathas claimed the lives of eight innocent people including four members of theSikh community, Tewari said, the hate crimes against any community wereunacceptable. “A hate crime is a hate crime, targeted against any community”,he remarked.
Pointing out that Indianapolis was not anisolated incident, he pointed out, “in August 2012 again, an attack on a Sikhtemple (Gurdwara Sahib) at Oak Creek Wisconsin claimed seven innocent lives”.
Regretting that the members of the Sikh faithhad once again become victims of a perverse mindset, he called for awarenesscampaign across the US about the Sikh community, suggesting, “it would beperhaps appropriate if certain mass sensitisation campaigns or other suchactivities are undertaken across the United States of America driven from theFederal level downwards”.
Recalling the 9/11 incidents, he said, “as weapproach the 20th anniversary of the dastardly 9/11 attacks, it is regrettablebut needs to be flagged that the aftermath of that catastrophe saw an increasein hate crimes targeting the Sikh community. If you may recall that on 15th ofSeptember 2001 in Mesa Arizona Balbir Singh Sodhi a Sikh American was murderedin a case of mistaken identity. Be that as it may, a hate crime is a hatecrime, targeted against any community”.
Tewari referred to the great humanitarianservices being rendered by the Sikh community across the world. “As you may beaware that the Sikhs are a very altruistic community. Most recently this spiritof selflessness was evidenced once again when the Sikh community of New YorkCity served meals to health care workers, COVID affected patients, as the citywas ravaged and unable to cope with rising cases of COVID-19. It is integral tothe Sikh ethos to serve all those who need to be served de-prioritizing one'sown needs for the greater good of society”, he pointed out.