Attack on Indian Consulate in San Francisco shows clear pattern of fomenting hatred against India
Post Date – 12:30 AM, Thursday – July 6
It is a worrying trend for Khalistan groups to stoke tensions by carrying out random attacks abroad to gain attention. The recent attempted arson attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco, the second such attack in three months, illustrates a clear pattern aimed at fomenting hatred against India in a desperate effort to revive a long-buried exercise. Realizing that there is no political space for separatist ideology in Punjab as public support has eroded across the board, these separatists are now trying to maintain influence by organizing attacks on foreign territory against Indian interests. These fringe groups must realize that their agenda has absolutely no appeal in rural Punjab, once the center of a militant separatist movement. Recent rallies in Canada celebrating the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi or the vandalism of the Indian embassy in the UK fell into the same pattern. New Delhi reacted strongly to these events, and rightfully so. Mere condemnation is not enough. India has rightly called on these countries to take concrete and visible action, including criminal prosecution of the perpetrators of the violence and nipping their activities in the bud. The Calistan group has been posting provocative videos, threatening further attacks and promoting separatist ideology. Local authorities in the US, Canada and Australia must take strong punitive and preventive action to deter any such risky behaviour.
It is highly inappropriate for Canadian authorities to allow protest marches in Toronto and Vancouver following the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar last month Instead, posters appeared in favor of Callistan. The posters suggested that the Indian government was behind the killing and featured pictures and names of the Indian High Commissioner and Consul General. In the interest of the bilateral relationship, such provocative behavior must cease. While the peaceful expression of dissent and disagreement is an integral part of any democracy, there should be zero tolerance for violence and calls for open secession. After dispelling the shadow of the past, India cannot return to the painful 1980s, a bloody era of terrorism that left deep scars on Punjab and obliterated the achievements of a prosperous country. In February, armed supporters of radical preacher Amritpal Singh, believed to be the 21st century incarnation of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, attacked A police station in Ajnala, in an attempt to heighten communal tensions in the sensitive border state. Part of Pakistan’s military establishment also has an elaborate plan to revive the Khalistan movement. Babar Khalsa International, International Sikh Youth Federation, Kalistan Shindabad Forces and remnants of Kalistan Commandos are said to still be operating from bases in Pakistan.
