Khalistan issue: Delhi Sikh leader assaulted in US
WASHINGTON: Manjit Singh GK, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), was allegedly beaten by people claiming to be supporters of Khalistan outside a gurdwara in Yuba City, California, on Saturday.
In a video clip released by the news agency ANI, Singh is seen sitting on the ground, holding up his arms to protect himself from men surround him, some of whom were eventually seen leading him away to safety.
“I am hurt,” he told PTI. They pushed me and kicked me... It was a brutal murderous attack.”
Singh added that he will not be deterred by the attacks. “We are not going to shy away... We will not be part of this fight for Khalistan.”
Despite several attempts, Singh could not be reached by Hindustan Times for a comment and a response on details of the alleged attack was awaited from the Yuba City police department.
Singh is visiting the United States in connection with the preparation of the celebration of the 550th birth anniversary Guru Nanak Dev ji. He claimed that he was attacked in New York also.
Leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal, of which he is a member, have condemned the attack. “The dastardly attack on S Manjit Singh GK was not an attack on an individual but on the Dastar (Turban) of a Sikh. It was an attack by agents of ISI on a party that is fighting the battle of justice for Sikhs. @sushmaswaraj ji please take it up seriously with the US government,” wrote Harsimrat Kaur Badal, SAD leader who is also the Union minister for food and processing, in a tweet.
The Sikhs for Justice, an advocacy group that seeks justice for the victims of the 1984 riots, claimed, in a statement issued on Sunday, that Singh and his supporters instigated attacks against “Khalistani activists” who were peacefully protesting against the visiting DSGMC official.