Punjab MPs concerned over attacks on Sikhs in United States, Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Members of Parliament from Punjab today voiced anguish in Rajya Sabha over repeated attacks on Sikhs in United States and Pakistan and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the matter with them to ensure their safety and security.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Balwinder Singh Bhunder (SAD) said Sikh minorities in US and Pakistan were being assaulted and many of them have been murdered due to hate crimes. He demanded that the Prime Minister should take up the matter with the two countries and ensure they get protection. He also raised the issue of citizenship not granted to Afghan Sikhs coming to India.

Bhunder said Sikhs were a brave community and had taken part in many freedom struggles and sacrificed their lives and their protection needs to be ensured.

"These hate crimes should stop," he said. Associating with him on the issue, Avtar Singh Karimpuri (BSP) said Sikhs were being killed and atrocities committed on them internationally. He raised the killing of Sikhs in US, UK, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Canada and said they were being subjected to atrocities and were discriminated against.

"What is the government doing? Why is it merely watching as a mute spectator as Sikhs are being killed," he said, adding that Sikhs be provided with protection.