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Diaspora

A sad day for Americans, Hoosiers, and Sikhs: Khalsa

BALBIR SINGH | April 17, 2021 10:34 AM

INDIANAPOLIS: Sikhs Political Action Committee chairman Gurinder Singh Khalsa, who originally hails from Haryana, described killing of eight innocent persons, half of them were Indian American Sikhs as "Today is a very sad day for Americans, Hoosiers, and particularly for the Sikh community."
In a press release issued here Gurinder Singh Khalsa said "Half of the fatalities in the Indianapolis mass shooting have been identified as members of the Sikh community. Community in shock."
Indianapolis Police have reported eight people dead and many others critically injured after a mass shooting took place at a FedEx Ground facility on the Southside of Indianapolis. The shooter also took his own life while in the facility.
The eight victims are : Amarjit Kaur Sekhon, 48 years old female, Jaswinder Kaur, 64 years old female, Amarjeet Kaur Johal, 66 years old female, Jaswinder Singh, 68 years old male, Karlie Smith, 19 years old female, Samaria Blackwell, 19 years old female, John Weisert, 74 years old male and Matthew Alexander, 32 years old male
This shooting in Indianapolis is one of at least 45 reported this month in the United States alone.
Chairman of SikhsPAC, Gurinder Singh Khalsa, has made a formal statement following this horrific tragedy.
“This situation is very unfortunate and extremely heartbreaking. The loss from this devastating event is unfathomable and irrecoverable. One of the most upsetting things about this tragedy is that it is not an isolated event. Situations like these are becoming a part of everyday life as an American. We are the most powerful nation on the face of the earth, and have been founded on liberty and justice for all people. The issue of mass shootings has affected people from all walks of life, regardless of someone’s age, race, or social status.
Whether these shootings are targeted — such as the mass shootings that took place in Atlanta against the Asian community — or random acts of hate, such as this horrible crime, they all have one similarity; they are becoming commonplace within our country that prides itself on tolerance and diversity.
Our local, state, and federal elected officials are failing our people. They are in the position to save our people from these heinous crimes. They are in the position to keep people like you and I from becoming names on a victim list. If elected officials were to have the will and the intention, they are the ones who are in a position to put measures in place in order to protect our people.
It is never too late to step up and choose country over party, or country over opinion. We need to think as one; regardless of nationality, race, creed, religion, or political beliefs. We the people need to begin to pressure our elected officials to begin to make the decisions that will keep you, I, our neighbors, our friends, and our families safe.
I give my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this fatal event. I pray that these will be the last condolences I will have to give, but realistically I know that is not the case. Without action from our elected officials on all levels of government, this is something that will continue to tear apart our nation. The only time to act is now,” Gurinder Singh Khalsa concluded.

 
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