Indian PM ‘deeply shocked’ by US temple shooting
Founder of People’s Party of Punjab: America is a
place where you have the occasional loony:
INDIA: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh voiced shock
Monday at the killing of worshippers at a Sikh temple in the US, while
Sikh leaders suggested American Muslims may have been the intended
target.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the shooting incident
that has resulted in the loss of precious lives,” Singh, himself a Sikh,
said in a statement.
“That this senseless act of violence should be targeted at a place of
religious worship is particularly painful.” In Sunday's attack, a gunman
shot worshippers at a suburban Sikh temple in Wisconsin, in the
mid-western United States, killing at least six people before he was
shot dead by police.
“I hope the American authorities would investigate who is behind this
dastardly attack on innocent devotees and that they will ensure that
such ghastly events do not take place,” Singh told reporters later.
According to religious tradition, Sikh Indians wear turbans to cover
their uncut hair and sport long beards.
In the United States they have often been mistaken for Muslims and
have been targeted by anti-Islam activists, particularly after the
September 11, 2001 attacks.
“I think it is a case of mistaken identity. Sikhs are often mistaken
to be from the Middle East,” said Manpreet Singh Badal,
founder-president of People's Party of Punjab.
“America is a place where you have the occasional loony, the
misguided lot, firing randomly at vulnerable people,” he told AFP.
“This is an opportunity, although a very sad one, to raise awareness
among Americans about the Sikh culture and identity.” Manjit Singh,
president of a Delhi-based Sikh party, said a peaceful gathering would
be held later Monday outside the US Embassy in New Delhi as a
demonstration of solidarity with the victims.
“Sikhs contribute a lot to America, they are an important part of
America,” Singh said.
“This is a racially motivated case and the (US) government needs to
educate people about different communities so it doesn't happen again,”
he said.
The US Embassy said it was deeply saddened by the “senseless loss of
lives” and praised the American Sikh community -- estimated to number
between 500,000 and 700,000 -- as one that “meaningfully enhances” the
American social fabric.
“The United States takes very seriously the responsibility to respect
and protect people of all faiths,” it said in a statement.
In the northern Indian city of Amritsar, home to Sikhdom's holiest
shrine, the Golden Temple, Sikh religious leaders called on all Sikhs in
the United States to “remain vigilant”.
“This is a security lapse on the part of US government wherein Sikhs
have become the victims of violence,” said Giani Gurbachan Singh, head
priest at the Akal Takht, Sikhdom's highest seat of religious and
temporal authority.
Singh said a “chain of prayers” would be held in Sikh temples across
India, including the Golden Temple, for those who died and for the
recovery of the injured.
AFP |