Shillong, July 7: Prominent US lawmakers and influential Indian-Americans have expressed strong condemnation of the attempted arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco, urging swift action against those responsible for this “criminal act.” They also criticized the “violent rhetoric” targeting India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, emphasizing that freedom of speech should not be misused as a license to incite violence or damage property.
A video, shared on Twitter and attributed to Khalistan supporters, showcased the act of arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco, along with the phrase “violence begets violence” displayed on the screen. The video also included news articles relating to the recent demise of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canada-based chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). Nijjar, who was one of India’s most-wanted terrorists with a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Canada last 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. They expressed their concern over the circulation of posters on social media containing violent rhetoric targeting Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu. The lawmakers affirmed that violence against diplomatic facilities would not be tolerated.
The incident has garnered widespread condemnation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining diplomatic decorum and respect for international missions. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attempted arson, with a focus on ensuring the safety and security of diplomatic personnel and properties.