New Delhi, July 10
The Government of India today expressed deep shock at reports of attacks on places of worship of Sikhs and Muslims in the United Kingdom and described such attacks as an affront to the entire humanity.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson issued two statements this afternoon on attacks on gurdwaras and mosques in the United Kingdom, conveying a strong message that New Delhi was concerned about the well-being of Sikhs and Muslims there. Hundreds of thousands of Sikhs and Punjabis are living in the United Kingdom while India is home to second largest number of Muslim population in the world after Indonesia.
Sources in the government told The Tribune this evening that Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran would collect latest information on this front from the Indian High Commission in London. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is keeping a close tab on developments in United Kingdom, is likely to be briefed tomorrow on the subject.
The UPA government has taken the attacks on Sikh and Muslim religious places seriously. It has the option of issuing a demarche or note verbal (a diplomatic note of
protest) to the British over the incidents.
This option, sources said, would be exercised, “if necessary”. At the same time, New Delhi does not want to, or to be seen to, upping its ante. This too after Prime Minister’s United Kingdom visit (July 6 to 8).
National Commission on Minorities Chairman Tarlochan Singh spoke to Mr Saran this morning and urged him to take up the matter of safety of all Indians with the British authorities. The External Affairs Ministry issued the two statements after Mr Tarlochan Singh’s conversation with the Foreign Secretary.
The ministry’s statement on attacks on Sikhs said: Government of India is deeply shocked at reports of attacks on two places of Sikh worship in the United Kingdom. Such attacks are an affront not only to the great Sikh religion but to entire humanity.
“The Sikh community has carved
out a highly respected place for itself in the British society through its industriousness and commitment.They have enriched the political landscape and contributed significantly to economic activity.
“We would appeal to the British Government to take all necessary steps to apprehend the perpetrators of these attacks and protect the Sikh community against any further expressions of racial tension.”
On reports of attacks on Islamic places of worship in the wake of the events of July 7 in the United Kingdom ministry statement said: “Such shocking attacks go against the spirit of pluralism and religious freedom which the United Kingdom upholds. We would hope that the perpetrators of these attacks will be expeditiously apprehended and every effort be made for the maintenance of peace and religious harmony in the United Kingdom.”
