An appeal to the US President to intervene and seek justice for the unlawful killing and injuries to Sikh protestor(s) on December 5th, 2009.

On December 5th, Sikhs were attacked without provocation or warning. Police and paramilitary forces opened fire to stop Sikh protesters belonging to religious organizations marching towards a controversial anti-Sikh two-day event organized in Ludhiana by Dera Divya Jyoti of Ashutosh.

The Punjab Police did not use water cannons to stop the protesting Sikhs, did not fire rubber bullets to quell the protestors, and did not use tear gas, but resorted to firing live bullets into the protestors, killing Darshan Singh Lohara of district Ludhiana. Possibly more than nineteen people were injured, and two are in critical condition (The details of their present condition can be shared with you, if requested). The death toll is expected to increase, since there are many who have gone missing after the event, and their lives are unaccounted for.

Sikhs are particularly upset at what has been interpreted as double standards and deliberate provocation of Sikhs. Earlier, on December 3rd and 4th, there was widespread arson and violence instigated by the migrant workers in three-quarters of Ludhiana. This was permitted without any action taken by the police. However, the protest march by Sikh religious organizations was met with the use of a batons and live ammunition. After the incident, the Sikh religious organizations called for a peaceful closure in Ludhiana. Cases were registered against Ashutosh and BJP MLA Harish Bedi, who were reported to have fired shots at Sikh protesters. Meanwhile, the Punjab government recognized the seriousness of the situation and, while maintaining its solidarity towards the accused officials, ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.

Despite an indefinite curfew in the city, there has been an uproar across Punjab at the heavy handed action of the police and paramilitary forces towards the Sikhs, who were unlawfully targeted. Upon seeing footage and photographs, reports are coming in of thousands of Sikhs preparing to travel to Ludhiana to participate in further protests. Voices For Freedom, a Human Rights organization, has warned many times in the last few months that if the Government of India continues to sponsor and support heretic cults, who are hell-bent on denigrating the basic postulates of Sikhism and poke fun at the Sikhs by resorting to blasphemous utterances, a civil war could arise in the state of Punjab. http://www.panthic.org/articles/5186

As (Friends of) American Sikhs, we urge you to take up this matter as our elected representative with the Foreign Secretary or the Indian authorities on our behalf. This is a serious human rights violation that requests your utmost attention. Your active role in bringing justice to thousands of Sikhs in India would surely reflect on your promise for freedom here in America. You have the power to stop unnecessary bloodshed and protect innocent citizens from unlawful discrimination and harassment.