President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh GK was attacked in California, allegedly by pro-Khalistan individuals, during which one of his associates was injured.
Singh, who had travelled to California following a visit to New York, said the purpose of his visit was to hold discussions among the Sikh community about the 550th birthday anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak, to be commemorated next year.
This is the second attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader. He was earlier attacked in New York.
‘We Will Not Be Part of This Fight for Khalistan’
Singh was visiting the main Gurudwara in Yuba City, California on 25 August when he said, a group of 30-35 people supporting the 'Khalistan 2020 referendum' attacked him.
I am hurt. They pushed me and kicked me brutally. It was a brutal murderous attack.Manjit Singh GK, President, DSGMC
He said one of his associates has been hospitalised while the police has arrested three people in connection with the attack. The DSGMC chief said that the attack will not deter or intimidate him.
"We are not going to shy away," he said, adding that those demanding Khalistan can continue their fight but resorting to violence is not the answer.
We will not be part of this fight for Khalistan.Manjit Singh GK, President, DSGMC
'Connection Between Congress and Attackers’
Attacking the Congress party after Rahul Gandhi’s comments on 1984 riots, Union Minister and leader of Shiromani Akali Dal, Harsimrat Badal said that following Gandhi’s remarks, the president of DSGMC was attacked.
Rahul Gandhi said in UK that Congress had no role in 1984 anti-Sikh riots and within a few hours, our president Manjit Singh GK was attacked. You will find a connection between the attackers and Rahul Gandhi.Harsimrat Badal, Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing
Speaking to ANI, the president of SAD, Sukhbir Singh Badal said the attack was orchestrated by Pakistani intelligence to disrupt peace in Punjab.
This attack has been done on behest of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) who are anti-India, against stability of Punjab and want to create a wedge between Sikhs. Have requested Sushma ji to take up the matter with her American counterpart.Sukhbir Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal
‘Cross Complaint Registered Against Manjit Singh’
Meanwhile, 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ), a group demanding justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims and supporting the 'Khalistan 2020 referendum, in a statement issued through its legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, accused Singh and his supporters of "instigating violent attacks on pro-Khalistan activists" who were "peacefully protesting" in the SAD leader's presence in Yuba City Gurdwara.
Pannun said the SFJ has also filed a complaint against Singh with the US Department of Justice for violations of the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) laws.
He said SFJ filed the complaint against Singh for holding, attending and addressing political gatherings in the US in violations of FARA laws.
We will now ask US Immigration to take notice of illegal activities of Singh and make him inadmissible to the United States.Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Legal advisor, Sikhs For Justice
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