Free speech doesn’t suggest…: US lawmakers condemn assault on Indian consulate in San Francisco

By Press Trust of India: US lawmakers and influential Indian-Americans have condemned the tried arson on the Indian consulate in San Francisco and known as for expeditious motion towards these behind this “criminal act”.

They additionally slammed the “violent rhetoric” towards India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and mentioned free speech doesn’t imply a license to incite violence or vandalise property.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 and posted on Twitter, confirmed the act of arson on the Indian consulate in San Francisco.

The video, with the phrases “violence begets violence” emblazoned over it, additionally confirmed information articles associated to the demise of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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Nijjar, considered one of India’s most-wanted terrorists who carried a money reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot useless outdoors a gurdwara in Canada final month.

In a joint assertion issued on Thursday, Congressmen Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, mentioned violence towards diplomatic amenities is not going to be tolerated.

“As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu,” they mentioned.

“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,” they added.

READ | Indian diplomats on Khalistani menace posters in Canada: Jaishankar warns ties might be hit

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick mentioned the assault on the Indian consulate is unacceptable.

“I firmly condemn the repeated hateful attacks on the Indian Consulate and look forward to those involved being held accountable with appropriate legal action,” he mentioned.

Till Thursday, no motion had been taken towards these concerned within the assault on the Indian consulate.

A spokesperson of the National Security Council of the White House mentioned the US takes the protection and safety of diplomats very significantly.

“We take very seriously the safety and security of diplomats living in the United States and strongly condemn acts of vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or personnel,” the spokesperson instructed PTI.

Condemning the assault within the “strongest possible terms”, Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar mentioned, “Violence and attempts to instil terror are unacceptable in democracy.”

Congressman Rich McCormick mentioned this assault is vile and unacceptable.

READ | Khalistani terrorists go into hiding after murders, suspicious demise in UK, Canada

“Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community,” he mentioned in a tweet.

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna slammed the posters towards Indian diplomats within the US, together with Sandhu, doing the rounds on social media.

“I know Ambassador Sandhu and respect him. When I bring up human rights issues, he always engages with civility, thoughtfulness & candor. This rhetoric puts diplomats in harm’s way. It’s dangerous & has no place in a democracy. Free speech does not mean a license to incite violence,” Khanna mentioned.

Last week’s assault was the second time inside months that the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was focused by Khalistani supporters.

On March 19, a gaggle of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and broken the consulate. Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters broke the makeshift safety obstacles raised by town police and put in two so-called Khalistani flags contained in the consulate premises. Two consulate personnel quickly eliminated these flags.

In a tweet, the South Asian Minorities Collective mentioned, “Known for their proximity to Pakistani intelligence service, the Khalistan cult has been trying to revive itself over the past few years in US, UK and Canada.”

READ | Posters of pro-Khalistan rally glorifying 1985 Air India bombing accused go up in Canada

Sikh chief Jasdeep Singh described the assault on the Indian consulate as “shameful and disgraceful”.

“Whoever did it should be brought to the fullest extent of law. Targeting any consulate or any diplomat or anybody for that reason is not a good thing,” Singh instructed PTI.

“Although it has not been identified who the perpetrators were, the community is very, very upset because it is being linked to the Khalistani movement.

“There is a line between freedom of speech and the appropriate to protest and getting concerned in legal actions like this one. So, we strongly condemn this legal act,” he said.

Responding to a question, Singh urged the Biden administration to make sure that consulates and diplomats of all countries, especially India, are protected and safe in the US.

“The Sikh group by and huge stands with the legal guidelines of this nice nation, and if anybody breaks the legal guidelines of this nation, the federal government ought to go after them,” he mentioned.

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