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U.S. Sikh Leaders condemn
violence in Vienna
WSN Network
 Washington:
Assuming spokespersonship of entire US Diaspora Sikhs, Dr. Rajwant
Singh, Chairman of Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE)
has said that Sikh leaders across United States have condemned the
violence in Vienna, Austria, in which one person died and several
others were injured.
“We condemn the
violence which took place in
Vienna,
Austria.
This kind of violence has no place in the Sikh affairs and it needs
to be categorically condemned by all Sikhs without going into the
merits of the issue. No issue requires taking law into your own hand
no matter what the provocation is. We are saddened by this terrible
tragedy and we appeal everyone to maintain peace and calm at all
cost.”
He added, “This
is undoubtedly a major setback to the Sikh interests on the
international scene especially in Western Europe and the Americas.
Various Sikh groups have been working hard day and night to create
positive image of the Sikhs and also to get Sikhs the right to
exercise their religion without restrictions throughout the Western
world. This incident does tremendous damage to all such efforts and
it has brought bad name to rest of the peaceful Sikh community
worldwide.”
“We appeal to
Jathedar of Akal Takhat, the highest spiritual authority in India,
to issue a strict edict that no person or organization should resort
to violence to deal with any issue related to Sikh observances or
Maryada (Sikh code of conduct). We have seen an escalation of
violent means to deal with issues related to Maryada or issues
related to respecting Guru Granth Sahib(Sikh Scriptures) in the
recent times. Only Akal Takhat should be the place to bring an issue
for deliberations."
Dr. Gurpal Singh
Bhuller of Association of Sikh Professionals and Sikh Association of
Central Virginia, said, "We Sikhs need to completely reject the
attack on other worshippers in Vienna, Austria. People of God cannot
condone such violent acts in a place of worship."
"Differences in
theology, belief and form must be settled with reason and respect
for the laws of the host country, the rights of its citizens, as
well as the acceptance of all fellow human beings. It is a tragedy
that this crime was committed by individuals to protect the sanctity
of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which preaches tolerance and
forgiveness."
Dr. I.J.Singh,
writer of various Sikh books in New York,
said, “The action of the attackers is contrary to Sikh teachings.
Everyone is entitled to practice their own faith as they see fit. No
body has any right to stop others much as we do not allow anybody to
interfere in practice of our own faith. History is full of examples
where Sikhs have defended the rights of others to exercise their
religion freely and we are known for this.”
Dr. Jasbir
Singh Kang, a prominent Sikh leader in Yuba City, California, had
called the local Ravidass Gurdwara in his area to express his
condolences.
27
May 2009
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