Krishna calls up Hillary, requests full and prompt probe into Wisconsin gurdwara killings that left 6 dead
India has sought strengthening of security around places of worship in the United States and urged Washington to come out with a strong message of reassurance to the Indian community following the Wisconsin gurdwara shooting that left six dead.
In a telephonic conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday evening, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S.M. Krishna also requested a full and prompt investigation into the killings.
Satisfied with the steps taken by the law enforcing agencies, Mr. Krishna expressed “sincere appreciation for a quick and brave response by local authorities in averting a worse tragedy,” said official sources here who maintained that Ms. Clinton was “receptive” to the EAM’s message and assured assistance.
‘Against U.S. policies’
Earlier, Mr. Krishna told the media that the killings in a place of worship ran counter to the proclaimed policies of the U.S. government and felt the U.S. would have to revisit its liberal gun laws in the light of recent incidents.
“I think they will have to certainly take a comprehensive look at this kind of tendency which certainly is not going to bring credit to the U.S.,” he told the media.
“But we will certainly not interfere in the internal affairs of the U.S. I think it is for them to decide the next course of action,” he added.
The Minister said any attempt by outsiders to interfere in this “very sacred freedom” [worshipping according to one’s preference] has done a “great injustice not only to that country but to the entire people.”
The Minister assured the Sikh community that the government would do “everything that is in our power to ensure that their places of worship are going to be protected at all costs.”
He prefaced his criticism by pointing out that in the U.S., just like in India, everyone is entitled to pursue the religion of choice.
Mr. Krishna took note of the messages of condolence by U.S. President Barack Obama and others who have emphasised that the U.S attached importance to religious freedom and tolerance, respecting and protecting the people of all faiths.
He refused to go into the motives, appreciated the prompt response by the law enforcing agencies and took note of the proactive role by Indian diplomats in the U.S. led by Ambassador Nirupama Rao.
“I think the Federal Bureau of Investigation has swung into action right away. Our Ambassador Nirupama Rao has been in constant touch with State Department and has registered her sense of disturbance and concern over the developments,” he said.
Keywords: Wisconsin gurdwara shooting, Oak Creek Sikh Temple killing, U.S. gurdwara killing, India reaction
I would be glad to teach any Sikhs in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area
how to handle a firearm so that they could protect themselves. It would
be my way to pay back some of the proud Sikh warriors that my dad met
during WWII.
The culprit was a misguided ignorant person. He was not backed up byed
by tanks of the US army. The police did not stand by watching and
waiting. The guilty person was not shielded by those those authorised to
perform the raj dharma. Obama is not a racist. The incident is highly
deplorable. We cannot agree with everything that is done in or by USA.
But that country has always stood by those in search of political asylum
at the time of their need. Their flag is flying at half mast. We should
not overreact.
I agree with you all. I ask the same question to many of my Indian friends. We want dollars, American house, American car, American work culture but want to live in Indian habitants and spread Indian systems here but do not want to live like Americans. My American friends ask ths; Why do you people come here for a living with your traditional apperance like anything, no answer. If USA stop giving VISAs and Green Cards, cheap labor(who works 16hrs here in multiple shifts with or without over time paid) stop coming from non-American nations. Thanks, Kumar.
PacRim Jim,
You are right. Only the Americans have the right to provide unsolicited advice and meddle in the affairs of other countries.
Colonel, It's the simple law of karma. The "colonizers" are becoming colonized now :).
You're addressing one nutcase in a country of over 300 million and generalizing. Look yourselves in the mirror at the inter religious violence in India where hundreds, thousands and many more have been killed in numerous incidents over the last 65 years plus before drawing conclusions about us. I almost read a threat in this story in retaliating against Americans. Also, please keep your nose out of our gun laws and our internal affairs, just like you always lecture America about interfering in yours. 'Nough said.
Perhaps India could lead the way by demonstrating the US citizens what India's government has done to prevent the thousands of religious murders in their country every year. Oh wait, they can't show us that...since those numbers continue to rise.
It seems ridiculous for India to suggest that America needs to revisit gun control especially since only a 9mm was used. Given the number of people to be murdered in India during religious riots from clubs, bats, pipes, fires, etc. what makes anyone think that eliminating guns significantly reduces murders? Should India revisit wooden stick control?
Maybe, you should worry about your own massive sectarian violence in India first.
I am sure that India's strict gun laws have prevented any terror attacks from occuring in India. For those not familiar with American humor that can be read as sarcasm. Also, in a single day more people die of starvation and disease in India than die in the USA of gun violence for a full year. Fix your own problems before you try to fix ours.
Perhaps when India takes better steps to protect Christian minorities and
missionaries they will finally have the moral authority to speak on this matter.
The Indian government doesn't understand the US. This is the worst possible thing that they could have done. How would India feel if the US started lecturing India about the violence against Sikhs in India?
If Sikh people wish to come and live in the US they have to give up allegiance to India, and the Indian Government has to let them go. Although it is untrue that most people in the US are immigrants (only 8% were born outside the US), it is true that most people in the US are descended from immigrants (99%). If everybody in the US appealed to their ancestors' countries every time something happened to them the US would be constantly involved in foolish diplomatic exchanges to no purpose.
Gun ownership is the foundation of the US Constitution - it is even more important than free speech. Americans have the right and the means to overthrow their government if it becomes tyrranical. Sikhs above all should understand this - they are required to carry the Kirpan.
I cannot control my laugh! Gun man was shot immediately to save others life. No US citizen or press person supporting the gun man. But in India, what happened to Mumbai attacker?
Mr. Krishna's statement "U.S. government and felt the U.S. would have to revisit its liberal gun laws in the light of recent incidents" In Assam 64 persons were killed and houses were burnt by fire. May be we should stop the use of fire. Mr. Krishna will not say anything about religious freedom or slavery to Saudi Arabians! This was attack by a individual person.
I find it odd that India would criticize the USA regarding internal security. Actually...India cannot teach us anything when it comes to internal security either by preventing it or responding to it promptly and effectively. I don't think it has been so long that I need to cite an example. India lives in a free society and so do we...there are costs for that.
The Krishna should correct the problems in India! Such as the "chaste system" and Hindu and Islamic problems along with other religions and pagan cults that are in constant conflict! As to changeing our "constitution" ? Go jump in a lake! And make India a place the Sikh will feel the "freedom" you provide in India!
Our country is not like yours. If a church wants security officers, there are a whole range of possible options available to that church to include ARMING THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION. My Christian church has to hire armed guards and we've not even had any threats to us. We hire off-duty police to work traffic on the street in front of our church. There is no duty or responsibility for the government to "take care of us" here. That's our own responsibility. That group chose not to use armed security and it obviously did not work out well for them. We pray for those who've lost their lives and their families because this was senseless violence. That is the fault of our motion-picture establishment and our current government. They knew this man was a threat before the attack and did nothing about it in advance. Do not, however, suggest that the firearms are a problem here. They are not the problem or the issue. This group, for whatever reason, chose to not be armed.
In the US individuals and groups of individuals have not just the right but the responsibility to provide for their personal security and safety. The issue has been visited by the US Supreme Court from different perspectives and no police nor government agency is obligated to provide personal security as a service. They need only respond to a call for assistance if it is successfully communicated and within their own budgetary constraints.
While it may seem inconsiderate, and I apologize, it is the responsibility of the Sikh community, as individuals and as groups, to exercise their explicit right and provide for their own first line of security.
This is the USA not India - what authority does India have to advise us on our security, let alone our gun laws? While I agree this was a tragedy, the fact of the matter is this: If you are here from another country and don't agree with the way we do things - you are free to leave.
Good grief. Being lectured by Indians. Their country is one of the worst places in the world for human rights violations and they lecture us over a lone lunatic? Give me a break. The Indian government should concentrate on making sure children are not making carpets and providing safe potable drinking water. After that, then, perhaps, I will take a lecture by their leadership. God Bless the USA!!
Awful tragedy. Agree with previous 3 posts though
If India wishes more security for their places of worship in the US,
then they should do as others do here: Hire private security firms to
provide security during services.
I live among several Indian families. I find them Arrogant, unfriendly, and refusal to assimilate. I walk by, smile, look at them directly as say hello...All I get is a blank stare and ignroed. This is one of the main reasons why I am leaving the apartment area where I live. They have made me feel UNWELCOME in my own living area. Their religion may be loving and peaceful, but from what I have experienced...it stops there.
India has some nerve opening their mouths about protecting religious freedom considering all the Christians that have been beaten,torched and killed in their land without the slightest repurcussions.
Guess what foreign countries: This was an isolated incident that has nothing to do with India. When someone moves to America they are treated as an American would be and afforded the same opportunities (public schooling and etc.). India should mind it's own affairs and let the people and the Sikh community of the USA mourn this terrible and horrendous act. India deals with much more murder than the USA could ever dream of including many americans being killed in the attack in Mumbai. We did not ask for better security for Americans nor ostracize Americans in India, we mourned for you and with you. So India and Indians please let us alone in mourning and dealing with this tragedy.
Would the Indian government ask the US to revisit it's gun laws (AKA, the Constitution of the
United States) had this nut taped a bomb to his body and blown up everyone in this place of
worship? Perhaps the Indian government should have addressed their comments to the people of Wisconsin.
Does the Indian government believe that we should pass laws against terrorism? We have such laws. They cannot and will not stop terrorists from their violent and reprehensible acts, and neither will restrictions on freedom.
Finally, does India possess nuclear weapons? If so, why?
That a bit rich considering the annual religious slaughter rate of the subcontinent .Maybe if you all dumped your medieval clobber and attitudes at the airport when you arrive it may well be better all round . You immigrating to other countries, try joining us on our terms not yours .
Liberty carries risks, even in the USA.
Perhaps an alternative solution would be for non-Western societies refraining from colonizing the West, and we in turn will leave everything east of the Urals alone?
Indians, next time you feel that you have the moral authority to lecture Americans about their society, ask yourself this:
Why do Sikhs and other Indians in their thousands continue to leave India for America?
Please India, mind your own business. I recall persecution of Sikhs in your country by the Hindu majority in the 1980s. So don't worry about what we do in our country. And stay out of our gun laws, that is a good way to get your hand "slapped". You can't even deal with the Chinese, so you must depend on our largesse to exist. The day China comes over the Himalayas, you are done. These "Indians" that were killed and wounded are American citizens. We are not a racist country like India, we grant citizenship to "non-whites". We in the United States are aware that an American cannot immigrate to India and be granted citizenship. The point being, they are no longer Indian, and therefor none of your business.
This is a very grave and incomprehensible act what happened here in Wisconsin and that too at a place of worship (regardless of faith). Not that it'd have been okay anywhere else. So, let me condemn it in the strongest of emotions that I possibly can to express the grotesque nature of it and that to born out of insecurity and ignorance.
But having said that, for India to demand " a strong message of reassurance to the Indian community" is like the pot calling the kettle black. Where have these voices been when in India Catholic nuns were raped, churches burnt and Christians even now constantly been attacked in India? So, let's not kid ourselves when Indian government and it’s politicians turn a blind eye to this kind of act that happens on a day-to-day basis in their own backyard and they pay attention to an isolated incident in someone else's backyard.
Pardon, but the "Global Village" is a failure, in case you haven't noticed. The USA is >NOT obligated to increase security or gun control laws because India or Mexico demands it. Mexico is home to more drug-trafficking violence and gun-related deaths IN ONE DAY that the USA experiences in ONE YEAR, and Mexico has already banned private gun ownership. India is a poverty-stricken nation of over a billion people that can't even keep its electrical grid up and running. Work on YOUR OWN PROBLEMS first, before offering advice to the most powerful nation on earth.
The US mourns those that were senselessly killed. That being said this is matter internal to United States. We believe in the rule of law and bringing those who commit such crimes to justice. You have not right to tell us what type of laws we should have in our country. When your country starts preventing senseless honor killings then you can tell us how we should stop allowing law abiding citizens to own guns.
If places want security, they hire security guards. It's that simple.
Stop complaining and begging the U.S. to protect you. In America, we
buy guns and protect ourselves. The police will never help you.
Realize that.
India needs to stay the hell out of the USA's business. This was
murder. It happens in India, but we don't tell them how to
investigate it there, they have NO right to tell us that we need to
protect their people HERE! If they are India's people, India's
religion, tell them to go back to INDIA. This happened on US soil, to supposedly US people of an Indian religion. If we are to be tolerant
of ALL religions, then we need to look at this as an attack on a
CHURCH! India has no business in this investigation.
What a joke for Indian to make a case for themselves because of the shootings in wiscousin. Dont' get me wrong what was done in Wiscouncin was totally wrong. It was an evil act. Does someone not see and report the incredible amount of killings in India against Christians? There are many killings that go on all the time in India in the name of religion... who reports it? There is hardly any justice in India for an honest person. You've to bribe the officials or have a relative who knows someone in politics. What a shame for India to be talking about justice..:::
If people move to the US they should accept our way of living, not try to impose their country's rules on us. It is regretful to the extreme that this happened but India has no jurisdiction in the United States.
This shooting was tragic and reflects that man is capable of great evil no matter his station in life. However, someone needs to remind Mr Krishna that we do not answer as a nation to him for what occurs in our nation. Perhaps he should pay more attention to the massive despair and death in his land caused by the caste system and its grinding povery at the lower levels. Please Mr Krishna, don't critize the U.S. gun policy when your Hindu-dominated government "owns" the most impoverished populations on the globe. And, Barak Obama saying that he respects freedom of religion is laughable, given his recent effort to force the funding of abortion onto the Catholic Church.
Before India pesters the US, I'd like to see India do something about the attacks on Christians and Jews in India which the government there has turned a blind eye towards for decades.
Anti-Hindu or Indian sentiment in America isnt that high. I live in South Carolina an extremely right-of-center state over all and we just elected a women that is of Indian desent. Louisiana of course has had a of Indian desent governor for a number of years. Killing happen here and I remember more than one mass killings at Christian Churches. I pray for these Sikh people and I hope the people they left behind find peace. But, please dont empower our bloated Federal government anymore than it already is.
If Sikhs want more security in the USA there is one major advantage they can have here--arm yourselves. If you're not citizens then either go back to where you came from or become Americans. Simple. If you think any government is capable of protecting you from crazy people then frankly, we don't want you here. We don't need anymore stupid people here since we already have our quota. I personally have never met a Sikh who I didn't like. It's up to you. Just don't try to take away my right to defend myself. That's forbidden in our Constitution.
To all the honorable Sikh's reading this. My heart felt apologies for this heinous act
perpetrated against your people and your place of worship. I, as an American want
you here in this country. Sikh's are good friends, neighbors, co-workers and
Americans.
First off I think that the Sikhs are safer, and enjoy greater freedoms in America than in India. Also I think that this gunman, like the Tucson shooter was known to police before the shooting. I would be interested to know just what kind of intel they had on this guy. My heart goes out to the innocent victims of this very evil person.
First of all, I want to say that the deaths of the Sikhs in Wisconsin is a sad state of affairs.
With that said, perhaps India should look a long look at itself and it's safety record for Christians before you poke you nose into and make accusations against America. The number of Sikhs killed in America is infinitesimal compared to the number of Christians killed in India.
Oh and are you saying there are no religious killings (with guns) in
India???????
Wait, is this the country that still, for the most part, has the caste system? Arranged marriages? Can't keep their electricity running?
And they are lecturing the US? Are they kidding?
Considering the number of Christians killed by extremist Hindu's in India in recent years,
India needs to clean its own house first.
Were they Indian citizens or American citizens?
Sikhs are very well regarded here in the states. The acts of violence towards them are few and far between, and always blown out of proportion by media.
Regardless, we feel for the families of those involved, and ask that this ridiculous political posturing cease.
This is America, not India. Though I agree that no one should be
murdered and that the event was a tragedy, if you want to protect your
citizens, take them back.
The Sikhs should arm themselves and guard the religious sites. They still have that right in America, and truth be told legally armed citizens prevent much more crime than they commit. I know the religion is quite peaceful, however I don't think they're pacifists.
If you want more security at Sikh temples then hire security guards like everyone else does. It's not the responsibility of the American government to provide security at private locations.
The United States is a sovereign nation (or was until the banking cartels took over); India should have NO influence over our policies, laws or social problems.
In a country of over 310 million people unfortunately crazy individuals do terrible things on occasion. In this case a mentally ill person used a firearm to commit the crime of murder targeting Sikh’s who from my knowledge and experience are among the most pleasant, educated, law abiding peaceful communities in the USA.
But this does not mean we are to abandon our sovereignty or individual liberties because of the act of ONE person.
People need to STOP falling into the trap of identifying with “groups” based on religion, ethnicity, race, gender, income, political ideology, sexual orientation, this takes away from our humanity, we need to look at each other as INDIVIDUALS.
In the USA people can carry weapons legally. There is no legitimate reason why the people in the temple were unarmed. We have numerous instances of Christians carrying weapons into their houses of worship and stopping mass murders.
By the way, in Luke 22:36 Jesus authorized his followers to kill in self defense. He knew what was out there.
Is this a joke? There is no way to have the US government provide
security at every church, mosque, and temple in the country. I'll bet
India doesn't either. This is one major attack in the past 20-30 years
on a place of worship in the US. How many attacks on temples, churches,
and mosques have there been in India during that time? I would guess at
least 50
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