Akal Takht asks NRI Sikhs to address hate crimes

Amritsar: All influential NRIs belonging to the Sikh community have been called upon by the Akal Takht, which is the highest seat of authority for the Sikhs, to take steps in their respective countries in order to address the issue of hate crimes against the Sikh community members.

"We are facing an identity problem in the western world and are being associated with another community. We are being labeled as terrorists or supporters of terrorist groups that are targeting nations in the west. This has made us easy targets of the hate crimes since the 9/11 terror strikes in the United States," stated Jathedar (highest spokesman of the Sikhs) Giani Gurbachan Singh on Monday, at the Akal Takht secretariat, where he presided over a meeting of the Sikh high priests.

'Influential' NRI Sikhs, particularly those who are elected representatives in the US, Canada, Germany, England and other western nations, were asked by the clergy to explain in detail to their governments everything about Sikhs and Sikhism.

"The separate and distinct identity of Sikhs needs to be explained so that members of the community do not fall prey to hate crime," stated the clergy.

"Not just the elected representatives, but all Sikhs who have earned a name for themselves in their adopted country and are close to the corridors of power, need to take up this public relations exercise. This exercise can also be undertaken in educational institutions and even at religious and social gatherings," added Giani Gurbachan Singh.