Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjit Singh GK was “brutally” attacked by a mob of alleged pro-Khalistan supporters in California on Saturday.
Singh, who is also the president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) , was earlier allegedly attacked by protesters in New York. Three persons have been arrested in connection with the attack in California.
#BREAKING: Akali Dal leader Manjit Singh GK attacked for the third time by Pakistan ISI backed Khalistani goons in Yuba City of Northern California. Video shows how he is physically assaulted badly by criminals in the US. Hope local Police will arrest them as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/DbLFEokSQq
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 26, 2018
In a video released by news agency ANI, the pro-Khalistan supporters can be seen pushing Singh to the ground, causing his turban to fall off, and kicking him. His face was also reportedly blackened before he was taken to safety.
“I am hurt. They pushed me and kicked me brutally. It was a brutal murderous attack,” he told PTI adding that one of his associates has also been hospitalised.
@Akali_Dal_ leader and DSGMC president @ManjitGK attacked in Yuba city, California. Earlier, he was attacked too in New York. @HTPunjab @PunjabiHT @navneetsharma_ pic.twitter.com/djux5KMLLp
— Gagandeep Singh (@GaganJassowal) August 26, 2018
We strongly condemn the cowardly act of attacking @ManjitGK during his visit to Gurdwara Sahib in Yuba City.
— Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) August 26, 2018
The radical forces will never succeed in suppressing our righteous voices.
Sikh community stands in support of GK Sahab pic.twitter.com/oevzf775mS
Yuba City police department arrested three for attacking @ManjitGK out side #sikhTemple at #YubaCity. @YubaSheriff @capt_amarinder @officeofssbadal @mssirsa @sikhsforjustice @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/S4QfAVYoKL
— Ravinder Singh Robin ਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ راویندرسنگھ روبن (@rsrobin1) August 26, 2018
Singh, who had travelled to California following a visit to New York, to hold discussions among the Sikh community about the 550th birthday anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak, to be commemorated next year, said he will not be intimidated from the attack.
“We are not going to shy away,” he said, adding that those demanding Khalistan can continue their fight but resorting to violence is not the answer. “We will not be part of this fight for Khalistan,” he said.
The cowardly attack on #DSGPC President @ManjitGK while visiting the US and about to bow at a Gurdwara is unacceptable. People may have differences but violence is not the answer. We condemn this violence.
— Randeep S. Sarai (@randeepssarai) August 26, 2018
Singh, earlier this week, had claimed that he and his family members were attacked by Khalistan supporters outside a New York TV studio, following which he appealed to Swaraj for help and demanded action.
I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on Manjit Singh GK. He was unarmed & paying obeisance at Gurughar where he was attacked by goons backed by ISI. @Akali_Dal_ has never cowed down to terror & will continue to stand strong on the principles of Sikhism!
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) August 26, 2018
Condeming today’s attack, Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Twitter wrote, “To these agents of ISI, the only way to get referendum is by attacking n intimidating Sikhs. No Sikh will ever be cowed down by your dastardly acts.” She also added that she has spoken to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for help. SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal also condemned the attack.
The dastardly attack on S. Manjit Singh GK was not an attack on an individual but on the Dastar of a Sikh. It was an attack by agents of ISI on a party that is fighting the battle of justice for Sikhs. @SushmaSwaraj ji please take it up seriously with the US government
— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) August 26, 2018
Heads of 'Sikhs for Justice' who are direct beneficiaries of ISI&work on their orders,& are supported by those who are in direct touch with the likes of Jagdish Tytler;Jasbeer Singh Lobana & his son,were seen attacking him: Harsimrat Badal on Akali Dal's Manjeet GK attacked in US pic.twitter.com/3xI06xDHgj
— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2018
Jasbeer Singh Lobana is the same gentleman who spent 3 months in jail for trying to intimidate an eye-witness in 1984 massacre case against Jagdish Tytler. Nexus b/w Congress party,'Sikhs for Justice' & ISI is very clear.We demand adequate security for Manjeet GK: Harsimrat Badal pic.twitter.com/XpLgAdjNZV
— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2018
Meanwhile, ‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ), a group demanding justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims and supporting the ‘Khalistan 2020 referendum, in a statement issued through its legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, accused Singh and his supporters of “instigating violent attacks on pro-Khalistan activists” who were “peacefully protesting” in the SAD leader’s presence in Yuba City Gurdwara. Pannun said the SFJ has also filed a complaint against Singh with the US Department of Justice for violations of the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) laws.
Special Report Manjit Singh GKSpecial Report Manjit Singh GK ਯੂ ਐਸ ਏ ਵਿਚ ਮਨਜੀਤ ਜੀਕੇ ਦੀ ਹੋਈ ਕੁੱਟਮਾਰ ਸੰਬੰਧੀ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ
Posted by KTV on Sunday, 26 August 2018
@ManjitGK @DSGMCDelhi said he would stick to his schedule. #Khalistan #SikhTemple #YubaCity GK is schedule to go #SanJose tomorrow @officeofssbadal @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/SoAGD4FE6w
— Ravinder Singh Robin ਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ راویندرسنگھ روبن (@rsrobin1) August 26, 2018
Sukhvinder Singh @Thana Singh arrested by police in #YubaCity after @ManjitGK was attacked at out side of #SikhTemple #YubaCity on Saturday. Sukhvinder Singh was also spotted at the stage of #referendum2020 during #LondonDeclartion @MEAIndia @IndianEmbassyUS @sikhsforjustice pic.twitter.com/wJVuKFaaWh
— Ravinder Singh Robin ਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ راویندرسنگھ روبن (@rsrobin1) August 26, 2018