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Sikh community in US being targeted, says Congressman Eric Swalwell
The US Representative has issued a statement, accusing India of launching “a campaign of transnational repression against the Sikh community in the US”.
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Congressman Eric Swalwell. / Eric Swalwell website
US Representative Eric Swalwell on May.2 accused India of launching “a campaign of transnational repression against the Sikh community in the United States and Canada”, a statement from his office said. He further stated that there was “credible evidence” to prove this.
“The campaign included a murder-for-hire scheme targeting prominent members of America's Sikh community, prompting the FBI to alert those targeted,” he added.
The Sikh community in the United States is being targeted for who they are and for what they believe in, said Congressman Swalwell.
“America is a land of freedom and opportunity — a place where people come to live free from political violence and persecution.”
He also said that the Indian government’s actions were a “serious breach of American law” and that they would “challenge the longstanding relationship between the world's oldest and the world's largest democracy”.
“Democratic nations must stand against this kind of authoritarian repression, not perpetrate it against each other,” he continued.
Swalwell is a member of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus – which focuses on the interests of the American Sikh community.
“I’m proud to represent one of the largest Sikh communities in this country,” Swalwell said.
His remarks came after the FBI allegedly took action by informing one of Swalwell’s constituents about threats against him. For this, the Congressman said, he was thankful.
“I’m thankful to the Biden Administration and the FBI for prioritizing these issues and taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable communities from intimidation. I urge them to remain vigilant in ensuring our intelligence community monitors this threat and that law enforcement proactively works with Sikhs in America to protect their safety and right to freely practice their religion.”
Previously, Swalwell had strongly reacted against India after Canada had launched an investigation into the alleged links between India and the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in the province of British Columbia last year. He was labeled a “terrorist” by New Delhi.
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