Indian ambassador: 'Hearts bleed' after Sikh deaths
"Our hearts bleed for the precious and innocent lives lost in Oak Creek," a suburb of Milwaukee, Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao wrote on Twitter.
"This is a very tragic time for our community. We must remain calm," she said.
"The Sikhs are among the best Indian Americans -- patriotic, law-abiding, industrious, generous and giving. I grieve with them today," she said.
Rao said she received telephone calls from John Brennan, the anti-terrorism adviser to President Barack Obama, and Wendy Sherman, the number three at the State Department, to condemn the attacks.
In a modern twist to diplomacy, the Washington-based ambassador of India's historic rival Pakistan, Sherry Rahman, took to Twitter to voice sadness over the massacre.
The Indian embassy in Washington said in a statement that it was monitoring the incident, which left at least six people dead.
The embassy said that it was in touch with the White House's National Security Council and that a diplomat had been sent to the scene.
Sikhism originates in India. While the gunman was not immediately identified, the US Sikh community -- estimated at 500,000-700,000 strong -- has faced attacks in the past by assailants who mistakenly believe they are Muslim.
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@Lala Gee: to Dr. Priyanka "Every body knows who has the real power, and by making a Sikh figurative head, who even cannot dispense justice to his own nation and punish those who committed the most horrendous genocide of modern times, who you are trying too fool." No Sikh, proud of being called so, would ever be figurative. Any one who willingly opts to become figurative is no Sikh. Growing a beard and wearing a turban does not make one a Sikh. The same "Sikh" whom you are referring to was shown black flags on his rare visit to Golden Temple by the "Real Sikhs". For your information, Sikhs do not consider themselves a nation. They have sacrificed for their nation, India, whenever called upon to do so. Remember, it was Ist Patiala Sikhs that routed and chased you out of Kashmir in 1947! Those who committed that admittedly horrendous genocide of innocent Sikhs in 1984 are going through the Indian legal process. The murderers in your country are showered with rose petals, astoundingly by the very ones who are charged with upholding the law. Next time you decide to mouth off recklessly, first make sure you are not vulnerable to the same charges.
@Dr Priyanka:
"Koyi faayda nahi references dene ka. We love our sikh brothers and sisters. They can rule over India."
I thought being a doctor you would have some conscience and feel remorse and would offer some apology on personal level but perhaps it is too much to expect from an Indian. Every body knows who has the real power, and by making a Sikh figurative head, who even cannot dispense justice to his own nation and punish those who committed the most horrendous genocide of modern times, who you are trying too fool.
@Lala Gee: Thanks for your information..But good thing to be noted that Sikhs do not blow themselves in crowded in markets,shoot and kill unarmed citizens nor do their gurudwaras preach them to avenge for 1984 riots,nor they do fight for special reservation even though they form 2% of entire population. They're ready to serve our country.Around 15% of army are Sikhs...and there is an saying that you can never see a Sikh beggar as they believe only in honest hardwork even if the job is menial..
Also,no Indian can forget the sacrifice the Sikh brothers made against the invading muslim army and made sure that India wasnt islamisized by sword like Iran,Afghanistan,Egypt etc
@Pollack: It will be wrong to blame Hindus or Muslims for Delhi riots. Many good Hindus and Muslims tried to save/help Sikhs during riots. It is sad that Government failed to do its job in stopping the riots and punishing people behind riots.
@Lala Gee: Koyi faayda nahi references dene ka. We love our sikh brothers and sisters. They can rule over India.
@Sherzai: they are just like balochistani in pakistan
the US Sikh community — estimated at 500,000-700,000 strong — has faced attacks in the past by assailants who mistakenly believe they are Muslim. Thank you Pakistan from the dept of an Indian's heart (!!!!!!) for the favor you have done to the Muslims of the entire world and any body who even remotely sounds or looks like a Muslim....
@Dildar Singh: Singh ji , are you saying that Indra Gandhi was a "Hindu" leader? I thought that congress goons attacked Sikhs and not Hindus? Don't you understand the difference between a congress man and a Hindu man or are you just another khalistani for whom truth doesn't matter?
@Sherzai: Pak sponsored Khalistan dead long ago. Stop dreaming. Real khalistan include whole Pakistan + Kabul. Check Map of Ranjit Singh Kingdom. Singh
@sherzai
there is nothing called a poor khalistani but there is something called poor baloch , poor sidhudeshi ,poor pashtoonistani e.tc etc and many more which still are RELEVANT NOW
@Ahmer Ali: "As usual you shall not leave playing old blame game against the muslims………" How do you find Muslims blamed? Now read the next comment from Ravi: "Poor Sikhs are suffering for being mistaken as Muslims." Although it was a bigot who committed this unspeakable crime, think about the "reputation" Muslims have garnered for themselves that brings death to innocents merely on the suspicion of being a Muslim. Is that undeserved?
@Ravi: What about the poor Khalistanis suffering in India?
@Ravi: No innocent should suffer whether Sikh/Muslim/Christian/Atheist/others,etc
@Ravi: Poor Sikhs are suffering for being mistaken as Muslims.
Yes, It's sad that one local terrorist carried out this attack on Sikh community.Seven people got killed. Police cornered that terrorist and he was killed by the Police on the spot. This is the Justice on the spot. How sad it is that Sajjan Kumar and Jagdesh Tytler like leaders who Provoked Hindu masses just after 1984 Indira's assassination and Slaughtered thousands and thousands of our Innocent Sikhs famalies across India, are still at large. That tells us clearly about our own biased Justice when it comes to Sikhs.
Poor Sikhs are suffering for being mistaken as Muslims.
"Sikhism originates in India. While the gunman was not immediately identified, the US Sikh community — estimated at 500,000-700,000 strong — has faced attacks in the past by assailants who mistakenly believe they are Muslim." As usual you shall not leave playing old blame game against the muslims.........
See how much people of any nation value their citizens lives, except us. We are cursed with most corrupt governments and Ignorance in people who still vote to elect them because of the most silly reasons. My message to them, keep destroying yourself, its all you are good for.
Sherry Rehman's condolence was the right and humane thing to do.