WASHINGTON: US lawmakers and influential Indian-Americans have expressed strong condemnation of the attempted arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco and called for swift action against the perpetrators of this “criminal act.” They have also criticized the “violent rhetoric” targeting India’s ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, emphasizing that free speech does not give anyone the right to incite violence or damage property.
A video shared on Twitter by Khalistan supporters on July 2 showcased the act of arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco. The video displayed the words “violence begets violence” and included news articles about the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief. Nijjar, a wanted terrorist in India with a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Canada the previous month.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Congressmen Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, strongly condemned the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, as well as the circulating posters on social media containing violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including ambassador Sandhu.
“We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American but that is not a license to vandalise property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable,” the statement said.
They affirmed their support for the right to free speech and freedom of expression but stressed that it should not extend to property destruction or the incitement of violence. They emphasized that violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offense that will not be tolerated. They called upon the State Department to promptly coordinate with law enforcement in investigating the damage at the Indian Consulate and holding the individuals involved accountable.
US Congressmen McCormick termed the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco as ‘unacceptable’. “This attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco is vile and unacceptable. Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community,” McCormick said in a tweet.
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick deemed the attack on the Indian consulate unacceptable, expressing his firm condemnation and anticipating appropriate legal action against those responsible. As of Thursday, no action had been taken against the perpetrators of the attack.
A spokesperson from the National Security Council of the White House emphasized that the US takes the safety and security of diplomats seriously, strongly condemning acts of violence or vandalism against diplomatic facilities or personnel.
Congressman Mike Lawler described the attempted arson at the Indian consulate as disturbing and expressed his anticipation for a continued strong partnership with India as the world’s largest democracy. Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar strongly condemned the attack, asserting that violence and attempts to instill terror have no place in a democracy.
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna denounced the posters circulating on social media targeting Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu. He highlighted his respect for Ambassador Sandhu and his engagement in discussions about human rights issues, emphasizing that such rhetoric puts diplomats in danger and has no place in a democracy. Khanna stressed that free speech should not be a means to incite violence.
This recent attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco is the second incident involving Khalistani supporters within a few months. On March 19, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the consulate, raising pro-Khalistan slogans and placing Khalistani flags within the premises. The flags were later removed by consulate personnel.
The South Asian Minorities Collective tweeted about the Khalistan movement’s attempts to regain strength in the US, UK, and Canada, suggesting its affiliation with the Pakistani intelligence service.
Sikh leader Jasdeep Singh expressed his disappointment over the attack on the Indian consulate, describing it as “shameful and disgraceful.” He urged the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators, emphasizing that targeting consulates, diplomats, or anyone else is unacceptable. Singh also called on the Biden administration to ensure the protection and safety of all consulates and diplomats, especially those from India, within the United States. He stated that the Sikh community largely respects the laws of the nation and supports government action against individuals who break those laws.
(With inputs from agencies)
A video shared on Twitter by Khalistan supporters on July 2 showcased the act of arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco. The video displayed the words “violence begets violence” and included news articles about the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief. Nijjar, a wanted terrorist in India with a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Canada the previous month.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Congressmen Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, strongly condemned the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, as well as the circulating posters on social media containing violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including ambassador Sandhu.
“We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American but that is not a license to vandalise property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable,” the statement said.
They affirmed their support for the right to free speech and freedom of expression but stressed that it should not extend to property destruction or the incitement of violence. They emphasized that violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offense that will not be tolerated. They called upon the State Department to promptly coordinate with law enforcement in investigating the damage at the Indian Consulate and holding the individuals involved accountable.
US Congressmen McCormick termed the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco as ‘unacceptable’. “This attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco is vile and unacceptable. Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community,” McCormick said in a tweet.
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick deemed the attack on the Indian consulate unacceptable, expressing his firm condemnation and anticipating appropriate legal action against those responsible. As of Thursday, no action had been taken against the perpetrators of the attack.
A spokesperson from the National Security Council of the White House emphasized that the US takes the safety and security of diplomats seriously, strongly condemning acts of violence or vandalism against diplomatic facilities or personnel.
Congressman Mike Lawler described the attempted arson at the Indian consulate as disturbing and expressed his anticipation for a continued strong partnership with India as the world’s largest democracy. Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar strongly condemned the attack, asserting that violence and attempts to instill terror have no place in a democracy.
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna denounced the posters circulating on social media targeting Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu. He highlighted his respect for Ambassador Sandhu and his engagement in discussions about human rights issues, emphasizing that such rhetoric puts diplomats in danger and has no place in a democracy. Khanna stressed that free speech should not be a means to incite violence.
This recent attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco is the second incident involving Khalistani supporters within a few months. On March 19, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the consulate, raising pro-Khalistan slogans and placing Khalistani flags within the premises. The flags were later removed by consulate personnel.
The South Asian Minorities Collective tweeted about the Khalistan movement’s attempts to regain strength in the US, UK, and Canada, suggesting its affiliation with the Pakistani intelligence service.
Sikh leader Jasdeep Singh expressed his disappointment over the attack on the Indian consulate, describing it as “shameful and disgraceful.” He urged the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators, emphasizing that targeting consulates, diplomats, or anyone else is unacceptable. Singh also called on the Biden administration to ensure the protection and safety of all consulates and diplomats, especially those from India, within the United States. He stated that the Sikh community largely respects the laws of the nation and supports government action against individuals who break those laws.
(With inputs from agencies)