Lalit Jha, an Indian journalist based in Washington, D.C., was physically attacked and abused by pro-Khalistan supporters outside the Indian embassy on Saturday afternoon.
UPDATE – Sun 3/26/23 10:14 AM
Washington DC: After an Indian journalist based in Washington DC was attacked by supporters of Khalistan, the Indian embassy in the United States condemned the incident in a statement on Saturday.
“We condemn this serious and baseless attack on a senior journalist. Such activity only highlights the violent and anti-social tendencies of the so-called ‘Khalistani protesters’ and their supporters, who are often involved in wanton violence and vandalism ,” said the statement from the Indian embassy.
Lalit Jha, an Indian journalist based in Washington, D.C., was physically attacked and abused by pro-Khalistan supporters while covering a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian embassy on Saturday afternoon.
The Indian embassy in the United States said in a press release: “We have seen disturbing images of a senior Indian journalist from the Press Trust of India reporting on the so-called ‘Khalistan protest’ in Washington DC earlier today. to abuse, threats and physical attacks.” by Saturday.
“We understand that the journalist was first verbally intimidated and then physically attacked and had to seek help from law enforcement agencies out of fear for his safety and well-being, which responded quickly,” the statement said. Thanks also to law enforcement for their swift response to this matter.
Jha thanked the U.S. Secret Service on Sunday for protecting him and helping him do his job. He said he was hit in the left ear with two sticks by a pro-Khalistan supporter. He also shared videos of Khalistani supporters on his Twitter account.
“Thank you @SecretService 4 my protection 2day 4 for helping with my job otherwise I would be in hospital writing this. The gentleman below hit my left ear with these 2 sticks and earlier I had to call 9 /11 and rushed 2 police cars 4 to safety for fear of physical assault,” Jha tweeted on Sunday.
condemns attacks on indians journalist lalitja’, The Indian embassy’s statement further said, ‘We condemn this serious and unprovoked attack on a senior journalist. These activities only highlight the violent and anti-social tendencies of the so-called ‘Khalistani protesters’ and their supporters, who often engage in wanton violence and vandalism. “At one point I felt very threatened, so I called 911.”Then I found out about Secret Service officers and told them about it,” Jha told Year.
However, the reporter decided to take no action against those who questioned him.
“Pro-Khalistan protesters supporting Amritpal Singh waved Khalistan flags and attacked the embassy in the presence of the US Secret Service. They even blatantly threatened to vandalize the embassy and threatened Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu” Jia told Year.
The protesters included hooded men of all ages who chanted slogans in support of Khalistan. They come from different parts of the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) region. Organizers used microphones to deliver anti-India speeches in English and Punjabi and targeted Punjab police officers suspected of human rights abuses.
There have been multiple protests by Khalistan supporters outside the Indian embassy and consulate in San Francisco. Earlier this week, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was also attacked on March 20.
Videos shared online showed a large mob waving Khalistan flags on wooden poles and using them to smash glass doors and windows of the consulate building. They held up slogans in support of Khalistan as they broke through a makeshift security barrier erected by city police and raised two Kharistan flags inside the venue.
The United States has strongly condemned the attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco by a group of separatist Sikhs, saying it was absolutely unacceptable.
The United States condemned the attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco and any attack on diplomatic facilities in the United States. The United States has pledged to defend the safety and security of these facilities and the diplomats working within them.
“The United States condemns the attack on the Indian consulate and any attack on diplomatic facilities within the United States. We are committed to defending the safety and security of these facilities and the diplomats working within them,” a State Department spokesperson told Year.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan tweeted that the U.S. condemned the violence against the Indian consulate in San Francisco. He further stated that the United States is committed to the safety and security of Indian diplomats.
#watch | Khalistanis beats journalist Lalit K Jha outside Indian embassy in Washington
(Video Credit – Lalit K Jha)
(Caution – use of abusive language) pic.twitter.com/MchTca4Kl6
— Arnie (@ANI) March 26, 2023
