(a) whether incidents of targeting sikhs after the terrorists` attacks on America have taken place in some countries;
(b) if so, whether the Union Government had any talk with the respective Governments in this connections;
(c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
(d) the details of loss of life and property as a result of attacks?
THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANT SINGH)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b)& (c) Yes, Sir. The matter was taken up with the US authorities at the highest level. Prime Minister expressed his concern regarding safety of Indians, particularly Sikhs in USA to the U.S. President and received an assurance that he would do his utmost to prevent such attacks.
In U.K., Canada and Australia, our Missions took up the matter with the Foreign Offices and local authorities.
As a result of the efforts of the Government, instructions were immediately issued by the concerned Governments to their law enforcement authorities to provide greater security to the Sikh community. The Police not only intervened immediately by arresting the culprits but also stepped up security around the Temples and Gurudwaras through mobile patrolling. The local Police also increased its patrols of areas where there are concentrations of Sikhs.
(d) One person, Shri Balbir Singh Sodhi, was shot dead on September 15, 2001 in Mesa, Arizona (USA).
Acts of threats and vandalism against Sikhs were reported from New York, New Jersey, Ohio and California etc. in USA and some places in U.K., Canada and Australia.