Ohio, US (August 22, 2013): The World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR) has expressed deep concern at the August 15, 2013 firing by Indian police on Sikhs in New Delhi, India. Reports indicate that more than two dozen Sikhs were injured in the attack by the police.
Sikhs injured in August 15, 2013 attack by Delhi police
The attack by Delhi police took place in the Tilak Nagar neighborhood – a well-known Sikh community. The neighborhood is also home to the widows of the 1984 Sikh genocidal pogroms of Delhi and is commonly referred to by locals as the Widow Colony.
Dr. Satpal Singh, Chairperson of WSC-AR and a survivor of the November 1984 Sikh genocidal pogroms, remarked “The world’s largest democracy, India, on its Independence Day anniversary has attacked the heart of the Sikh community in its capital city of Delhi. This attack adds insult to injury for the Sikh community. We call upon the international community to hold India up to its public commitments to human rights.”
WSC-AR calls upon the Government of India to ensure the long-term and immediate security of Sikhs in India. They have had a traumatized past and it is unacceptable to leave them vulnerable to communal violence again.
WSC-AR appeals to the Sikh community of Delhi to respond with restraint and work with other faith communities to bring justice to the victims of the police firing. WSC-AR commends the residents, Sikhs and Hindus of Tilak Nagar, for holding a joint peace march following the police firing.
The World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR) is the umbrella organization representative of Sikhs in the United States. It is an elected body of Sikh Gurdwaras and institutions. Currently 51 Gurdwaras and other Sikh institutions across the nation are members of WSC-AR. The major governing purpose of the organization is to represent the collective view of Sikhs in the United States. WSC-AR works to promote Sikh interests at the national and international level focusing on issues of advocacy, education, and well-being of humankind.