0
0
Indo American community leaders condemn the Attack on Hindu religious procession – Hanuman Yatra in Delhi by radicalized muslims
Washington DC, Monday 18th April 2022
Indo American community and business leaders across America condemned and expressed concerns about Hindus in India getting attacked by radicalized muslims. They include leaders of socio-cultural organizations, activists, entrepreneurs, hoteliers, and technologists.
Context: On 16th April 2022, a mob of muslims pelted stones, attacked with sticks and swords , including a firing, on Hindu religious procession. Subsequently 20+ were arrested including, Ansar Sheikh as main accused and Imam Yunus who fired shots. (Updates: Delhi administration had started demolishing illegal construction encroached in the area, but the Supreme Court of India put a stay on it)
Excepts from Statements:
The national president of Indian American Forum, Dr. Sampat Shivangi, noted that “Few intolerant groups are spearheading this malicious response that must be curbed for the greater cause of one nation that stands for unity in diversity. Unfortunately, that touches the core of democracy and Secularism that India stood for thousands of years.” Vandana Sharma, Media Coordinator HinduPact observed, “Lately, it is becoming a bothering trend, that the Muslim groups in urban India are increasingly influenced by radical Islamists groups from around the world.” However, a New Jersey hotelier and President of GOPIO, Ashok Bhatt saw a direct conspiracy behind these attacks as “Most of the violence has been paid for and manufactured.” Amitabh Mittal of VHP of America from Chicago also observed that “These all were well planned and coordinated attacks not random. As thousands gathered either stones, swords and some with locally made hand guns. In Delhi Boys of young age were seen on live CCTV footage shooting at crowds of Hindu Faith Followers.” Prasad Koranne who is a social worker from Arizona, also felt a conspiracy behind the attacks. Bhriguraj Singh, from San Francisco, expressed that “such acts are manufactured and staged by those who cannot digest India’s meteoric rise” The OFBJP President Adappa Prasad felt that, “The attackers adopted Hamas tactics of stone pelting injuring hundreds of innocent civilians and Police. This smacks of a conspiracy at international level from vested interests broader.” Ms. Surekha Baishya and Mr Khagendra Muthe from Colorado-based Friends of India thought that this conspiracy was intended at derailing India’s economic growth and India’s aggressive campaign to improve the standard of living for 1. 4 billion Indians .
“Several such incidents have taken place in several states in the country in the past one week.” noted editor and chief of Khalsa Today, Sukhi Chahal. Noting such the trend of attacks on Hindus, Dr. Bharat Barai, Chairman of US-India Friendship Council said, ‘What happened to Kashmiri Hindus can not be allowed to happen in the rest of India. These attacks on Ram Navmi and Hanuman Jayanti processions are wake up calls for Hindus to arise and defend themselves.” A similar call for action was expressed by Avadesh agarwal, well-known philanthropist from Los Angeles who said, “Hindus have always been very fair but they have to change and reciprocate the same attitude for survival.” A founder of a Silicon Valley based temple, Raj Bhanot said, “Hindus’ patience should not be tested for our weakness, otherwise strong reactions happen“
Dr. Romesh Japra, Founder of Americans for Hindus spotted a broader pattern as ““These attacks all over the world by Radical Islamists Terrorists represent Kafirphobia not only against Hindus but all other Faiths as well.” Amitab Mittal too observed a Worldwide pattern of attacks on Religious gatherings other than Islamic faith were witnessed in Spain, Sweden, Belgium, France and India.
A community leader from Los Angeles Vijay Kumar appalled by the gruesome nature of violence noting “An inhuman, despicable attack by stones, knives and swords by minority Muslim men injured young children and women.” As such violence requires actions from police and authorities, Somanjana Chatterjee from Silicon Valley Inter-religious Council emphasized , “Perpetrators should be punished adequately to exemplify ethical code of conduct as per the legal system of the land.” Sukhi Chahal from Khalsa Today also asked, “ The culprit & their handlers should be exposed & punished to the highest extent of law.”. Mukesh Mowji, entrepreneur and hotelier, asked authorities, “Organizations that are continuously challenging communal peace by campaigning against India should be condemned and also held accountable for instigation.” Chandru Bhambra, a trustee of California-based Hindu temples, asked Delhi Police to take strong actions against the perpetrators. Adappa Prasad called for investigation and punishment of “ conspiracy of Islmo-liberal nexus”.
As gaps exist between negative propaganda and ground realities about India, Khanderao Kand, entrepreneurial technologist from Silicon Valley observed that “While in the United States we are witnessing an intense negative campaign against India on the human rights of minorities, the attack on Hindus in Delhi shows the facts are different. The narrative of defamation needs to be countered and reset with facts”. Sant Gupta from Lorton Virginia further emphasized that CAIR and IAMC has been colluding to undermine the democratically elected Government of India, interfering in the internal affairs of India and inciting unrest and violence for a long time. Both must redirect their energies to build strong, unified, and peaceful India instead of portraying perpetual victimhood of Muslims.
Vijay Simha from San Francisco emphsized media bias, “Even though Hindu religious processions continuously being attacked by the Muslim mobs, it is ashtonishing and sickening to see some selected media and propaganda groups cushioning the perpetrators and supporting or justifying the violent actions. The Indian diaspora condemns this normalization of Hinduphobia and Hinduhate”
