Punjab/World News-Punjab State Commission for NRIs takes suo-motu on news-item regarding attack on Punjabi family in USA

Chandigarh, September 20, 2013: Punjab State Commission for NRIs, Chandigarh has taken a suo-motu on a news-item published on September 9 this year in respect of an attack on a Punjabi family in the USA, wherein Gulwinder Singh Gakhal, who originally hails from Gakhla Village in Jalandhar district, runs a diamond transport company in California. An unidentified armed masked man entered his house and fired at his mother Mohinder Kaur. On hearing the gunshots, Gulwinder Singh Gakhal, who was sleeping on the first floor, came down and tried to resist, but the assailant fired at him. His wife Harjeet Kaur was also injured.
Similarly, as per the news-item published on September 7 this year two Doaba men namely - Jagtar Singh Bhatti aged 52 from Jalandhar and Pawan Preet Singh, aged 20 from Hoshiarpur had opened their grocery stores in Elkhart, South Indiana (US), when two masked men barged in and gunned down both of them. Apart from this there are other incidents relating to such attacks on the Sikh Community. It includes the deadliest act of violence in August last year when a white supremacist stormed a Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and shot dead six worshippers. Due to the growing killing of Sikhs in the USA, they live under the shadow of fear and insecurity. There has been a feeling following the 9/11 attacks that Sikh Americans were targetted because of their turban mistaken to be Islamic. The study of a news-item published on September 10 this year reveals that 49% of Americans believe Sikhism is a Sect of Islam, while 70% of Americans mis-identify Turban wearers as Muslim. Almost all men in US who wear the turban are American Sikhs, whose faith originated in India. Sikh Americans are actively participating in the Justice Department’s Community relation services, the Department of Civil Rights Division, holding bi-monthly meetings to address and discuss civil rights issues. Punjabis in US also involve themselves in the national security to serve and protect. US also had a close relationship with Indian Punjab during Green Revolution. However, despite that Sikhs in US feel in-secure.
The Commission relating to a similar incident in Manila (Phillipines) had taken suo-motu notice and observed that “However, in continuation with the earlier order dated 01.08.2013 having perused the press reports as to the large numbers i.e. 500 Punjabis having been murdered in the year 2012 alone, the situation is grim & alarming. It seems there is no one to fight for their cause; no legal aid has been provided to those settled in Philippines to fight for their rights; there is no law for safety & security of the Indians working in Philippines; there is nobody to help them. In the case of Sikh farmers of Kutch area (Gujarat) the Punjab Govt. is supporting their cause. NRI Affairs is the priority of the Punjab Govt. This Commission also expects Punjab Govt. to extend help and support to Punjabis, who have settled in Philippines and to fight for their cause in terms of safety and security, legal and financial aid etc. Therefore, Punjab Govt. should act fast and to constitute a three member committee, in which one of the member should be a Senior IPS Officer, to monitor the cause of such murders and to extend support, possibly of all kinds, referred to above and to coordinate with the Central Ministries, referred to above and the Philippines Embassy in India. The Committee for above said purposes, if need be, must visit Philippines to have an interaction with the Punjabi Community, Indian Embassy and Govt. authorities to redress their grievances.  Swift action in this matter will be appreciated. A copy of this order be immediately sent to Chief Secretary, Govt. of Punjab, Principal Secretary (Home) for their immediate action.”
Even in the present case, the question arises is that whether relating to said incident any initiative has been taken by the Punjab Government with the Central Government to rake-up this issue with the US Government. Similarly, whether the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (which is the nodal Ministry for dealing with the expatriates), has sought any report from the concerned Governments, as to what steps have been taken by them to curb such acts. How this racism is to be curbed? It is a day of mourning for all those who value human-life and cherish freedom. Such an attack especially on a particular community is an attack on our collective humanity and our human values. The Central Government as well as the State Government must react and act. There is a need of Public debate by way of extensive interviews, seminars, deployment of conflict resolution specialists, innovative grass-root programs, Advisory Boards, about Sikhs, Sikhism, their identity and the inputs made by them, creating mutual understanding to effectively bridge these perception gaps between them and fellow Americans, to alleviate tensions in the wake of backlash incidents. Fellow Americans must come to know the Sikhs as teachers, doctors, coaches, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbours and above all Community servants on account of their participation in the Justice Department and Civil Right Divisions. It is high-time for the Commission to take the initiative. Thus taking suo-moto cognizance provided under Clause (c) of section (2) of the Punjab State Commission for NRIs Act 2011, Chief Secretary, State of Punjab, to take-up this matter at the highest level and to seek a report from the concerned departments for the initiation of any such action, as suggested above and to direct them to coordinate immediately with the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs for the welfare and safety of Punjabi NRIs, who are settled in US and to curb such killings in future.
A copy of the order has also been sent to Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs and Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs for information and also necessary action at their end. The Commission said “We appreciate a positive reply from the Chief Secretary, State of Punjab and from the above said Ministries, on or before the next date fixed.” November 11, 2013 has been fixed for the next hearing.