SGPC raises concern over security of Sikh-Americans

Fearing hate crime in the wake of the Orlando gay club shooting, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) today said that it will ask the Centre to take up with the United States the issue of safety and security of the Sikh-Americans.
The apex religious body of the Sikhs said the Sikh-Americans, who have faced hate crimes after every major terror attack, are fearing a backlash following the incident.
"What has happened in Orlando is an unfortunate incident, it needs to be strongly condemned. As the Sikhs have faced hate crimes after every major terror attack in the past, we urge our Central government to take up the issue with the Obama administration to ensure their safety and security," SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar said.

Makkar said the religious body will be writing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take appropriate steps in this regard.
He said that they would also urge the US government, through the Centre, to ensure security of the Gurudwaras in that country.
The SGPC head said that Sikhs are a peace loving community who have contributed to the US economy.
"In US, you will find doctors, scientists, industrialists and entrepreneurs from the Sikh community," he said.
Omar Mateen, an Afghan-origin gunman armed with an assault rifle shot and killed 50 people and injured 53 others at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida yesterday.