Tag: vandalism

Indian-Americans forum condemn rising incidents of vandalism against Indian missions

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Washington: As many as 44 Indian-American organisations have condemned the repeated attacks and instances of vandalism at various Indian institutions and the recent attacks on Indian diplomatic missions in San Francisco, London, and Brisbane, which they said have left the community in a state of shock and fear.
Under the banner of “Indian Diaspora Against Hate,” several eminent Indian-Americans and organisations from diverse backgrounds — cultural, linguistic and religious — across the country issued a signed letter condemning the violent attacks in which they called on all civic officials and federal, state and local law enforcement to take measures to ensure the safety of the Indian-American community.
Last month, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, prompting sharp condemnation from Indian-Americans who demanded immediate action against those responsible for it.

A group of protesters carrying pro-Khalistan flags and banners in support of radical Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh gathered at the Parliament Square in London last month.
Representing Indian Americans from various cities and geographical locations, the organisations and community members urged citizens to be cautious of hate groups and report them to the administration.
They have also urged the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to monitor extremists’ activities, prevent hateful attacks and take decisive action against these perpetrators of hate.
“Many Hindu community leaders have been threatened and they even attacked my residence recently,” said Dr Romesh Japra, cardiologist and community leader.
Madhu H, Social activist from Southern California said: “Khalistani extremists have a long and tragic track record of violence, including being responsible for the downing of an Air India jet in 1985, killing more than 300 people.” Venu M, a Hindu Leader from California State Capitol Sacramento was remembering the desecration of Gandhi statue in the City of Davis, said “Indian-Americans are increasingly concerned about the lack of safety for Indian- American institutions in the wake of these attacks.” The letter welcomed the statement of the State Department condemning the attack against the Indian Consulate at San Francisco.

It also welcomes the statement of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, rejecting hatred and attacks on Hindu temples.
It said that the community is concerned that the failure to check the violence by people who are motivated to disrupt peace and create a condition of fear is only encouraging an escalation in aggression, a media release said.
“Indian Diaspora Against Hate” is a forum to collaborate with Indian-American organisations, institutions, and Hindu temples who are concerned about the safety, security and well-being of the Indian diaspora and voice their opinion to the civic and law enforcement agencies.
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#IndianAmericans #forum #condemn #rising #incidents #vandalism #Indian #missions
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 21, 2023
Vandalism at Indian High Commission raised in UK Parliament

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London: The vandalism by pro-Khalistan extremists at the Indian High Commission here was on Thursday raised in the House of Commons, with British MPs demanding action against “Khalistani hooligans” and the safety of India’s diplomatic staff.
While Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman called for a debate in Parliament to discuss steps to ban groups behind the violence, Opposition Labour Party MP Gareth Thomas asked the Leader of the House of Commons about the steps being taken to ensure there is “no repeat of such behaviour”.
The Cabinet minister addressing the Business of the House, Penny Mordaunt, responded by reiterating Foreign Secretary James Cleverly earlier statement announcing a review of the protection measures around the Indian mission here.
“We strongly condemn the vandalism and violent acts that took place outside the Indian High Commission in London. It was a completely unacceptable action against the High Commission and its staff,” Mordaunt told MPs.
“There is ongoing work with the Metropolitan Police to review the protection measures around the High Commission, and any changes will be made to ensure the safety and security of its staff so that they can go about their business, serving both this country and India,” she said.
Blackman pointed out that the attack on Sunday was the sixth time in as many years that the Indian High Commission has been attacked in a similar way.
“The hooliganism of Khalistani hooligans outside the Indian high commission on Sunday is a disgrace to this country,” he said.
“Khalistani militants are operating across the world; Canada, the US and Australia saw similar attacks over the weekend. We are harbouring Khalistani terrorists in this country right now. Can we have a debate in government time on what action we can take to ensure that these terrorists are held to account and banned in this country,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Blackman as chair of the India (Trade and Investment) All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) raised the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the Commons and sought an update from the Business and Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston, who confirmed that the eighth round of FTA negotiations are currently under way.
“Both nations have committed to and are working together for a mutually ambitious deal. We are working through substantive issues such as goods, market access, services and investment,” said Huddleston.
Asked if the FTA is likely to be concluded by Diwali this year, having missed the Diwali 2022 deadline, the minister stressed that “it is about the deal, not the date”.
“We will not tie our hands by setting an arbitrary deadline,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in London has been working to counter disinformation being spread on social media alleging that the objects hurled during Wednesday’s planned pro-Khalistan demonstration came from India House.
“Fact check: the truth is, a small minority of protesters threw water bottles, ink balloons, eggs and flares at the High Commission in London, some of which hit other protestors and the police. Nothing was thrown by mission staff at our own brethren. We have proof,” the High Commission tweeted.
“Do not believe disinformation aimed to disrupt harmony. Indians will always respect the religious beliefs of all,” it said, alongside videos showing water bottles and coloured flares being hurled by Khalistan flag-bearing protesters towards India House.
The UK government has condemned the attacks as “unacceptable” and committed to “robustly respond” to such incidents of violence.
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#Vandalism #Indian #High #Commission #raised #Parliament
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 23, 2023
Hindutva workers booked for rioting, vandalism in Aurangabad post Chavhanke’s speech

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Members of a right-wing group, Hindu Jan Garjana Morcha, attacked a women’s public washroom, among other acts of violence, on Sunday afternoon in an attempt to remove the name ‘Aurangabad’ from its board.
In videos that surfaced and have now gone viral on social media, the group can be seen violently attacking the board over the public toilet for women, to break the portion that reads “Aurangabad Mahanagar Palika, Aurangabad (Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad).
Aurangabad was recently renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after Shivaji, in an attempt to erase the roots of the Muslim emperor Aurangzeb, often termed a tyrant by Hindu extremists.
A few right-wingers climbed over the slab of the toilet and hit the nameplate with bricks and hammers amid cheers, slogans and whistles from supporters.
The incident took place during a march organised by the Sakal Hindu Ekatrikaran Samiti in support of the decision to support the remaining of the city. The rally took place despite the police denying permission for the event.
According to the details of this incident, Hindu Jan Garjana Morcha members first pelted stones on the name board of the women’s toilet. On information, the police reached the spot following which the stone-pelting gang fled the scene, after this incident, the police increased security in the city.
The march commenced from Kranti Chowk and reached I.M. from Adalat Road Hall, in front of Vivekanand College reached Aurangpura from Niral Bazar through Samthargarh.
The rally also witnessed speeches by the editor-in-chief of Sudarshan News Suresh Chavhanke and suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA T Raja Singh.

Controversial leaders Chavhanke and Singh delivered communally charged speeches at the event that was attended by Maharashtra cabinet ministers employment guarantee scheme and horticulture minister Sandipan Bhumare and cooperative minister Atul Save alongside Shiv Sena MLA Pradeep Jaiswal and BJP MLA Shivendra Raje Bhosale were present.
Members of the Navnriman Sena, ISKCON, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal among others were also present.
In his communally charged speech, Chavhanke used derogatory terms to address Muslims whilst slamming Aurangzeb.
“There is no body of Arungzeb in his grave, Marahatas have done with him what America did with Osama bin Laden,” claimed Chavhanke challenging history writers to dig up his grave.
Garnering applause, Suresh Chavkanke expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for changing the name of the city, while taking an oath that Hindus will ensure that the name remains till the end of time.
“The name Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has just been introduced for the city but it is now on us to change the entire image of this city.”
Now, all Hindus must ensure that we refrain to buy from shops that have Aurangabad on their nameplates. “We will economically boycott the ‘children of Aurangzeb’,” he said reiterating the economic boycott of Muslims traders.
The concussion of the event, where Chavhanke, delivered this speech witnessed the violence. Members of Sakal Hindu Ekatikaran Samhitihi went on a rampage and vandalized boards of several shops and posters that read Aurangabad instead of Sambhajinagar.
Following the incident, the Police Commissioner directed patrolling of the city until those participating in the march dispersed.
Seven FIRs including those for rioting and damage to public property have been registered against several suspects were registered.
According to the Times of India, among the seven, an FIR against Raja Singh and Chavhanke, who have been previously booked for hate speeches, has been registered under section 153 (A), for creating enmity between different groups of religions, race place, etc, of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),
Four FIRs have been filed at Kranti Chowk police station, while each is at Osanpura Vedantnagar ad MIDC Cidco police stations.
Police stated that as a result of communal speeches delivered at the event, some people from the crowd, on their way back home went on a rampage and started tearing off the banners, and flexes and bringing down nameplates bearing Aurangabad on them.
However, when Siasat.com attempted to reach out to the police in the case, they refused to comment or release any information.
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#Hindutva #workers #booked #rioting #vandalism #Aurangabad #post #Chavhankes #speech
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 20, 2023