GOI asks US Administration to ensure full and prompt enquiry into Oak Creek tragedy: PM to Badal

Chandigarh, September 11, 2012: Responding to the issues raised by the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to impress upon the US administration for taking effective steps to ensure the safety and security of Sikh community in the aftermath of the shocking tragedy at Oak Creek, Wisconsin in USA, on August 5, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has taken up the issue with the US President Barack Obama.  

Badal had asked the Prime Minister to approach the US administration to ensure a full and prompt enquiry into the incident besides strengthening the security of places of worship in order to instill confidence in the Sikh community.    

The Prime Minister on Monday apprised Badal that GoI had acted upon the issues raised in the Punjab Chief Minister’s letter.  

Badal had requested the Prime Minister to attach highest priority in our diplomatic engagement abroad to safeguard the interests of the diverse Indian communities living around the world and we were actively engaged with the host governments regarding their safety and welfare.  Dr. Singh has now informed the Chief Minister that GoI is engaging the US administration on the issue. 

The Prime Minister shared Badal’s anguish over the loss of six innocent lives and the injuries sustained by three others in this unfortunate incident.  “This senseless act of violence in a place of worship has no place in any society and has rightly drawn condemnation from India, the United States and around the world”, said Dr. Singh in his letter to the Chief Minister.  

The Prime Minister also said that President Obama called him on August 8 to express his personal shock and sorrow and that of the American people, at this incident.  

Obama also appreciated the role played by Sikh community to enrich the United States.  The US President said that the heartbreaking tragedy was contrary to everything that America stood for and that he was determined to make sure that such incidents did not happen again. 

It may be recalled that Badal had written to the Prime Minister saying that effective and proactive response was required from the government of India on the two major issues.  The first of course was the immediate task of dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy. Then there was also an equally urgent need for taking up with the US administration the larger question of taking effective administrative and other steps to ensure the safety and security of members of the Sikh community in that country.  

Badal had also pointed out that similar effort was also needed in some other countries which the Sikhs have made their second home, contributing in a significant and positive way to the progress and prosperity of the lands of their adoption.