Mayhem in Mumbai – Innocents are the Victims

Ottawa (November 27, 2008) – The World Sikh Organization (WSO) condemns the recent violent attacks in Mumbai, India.  These reprehensible acts of violence against innocent people are an attack on peace loving peoples across the world. 

Gurpreet Singh Bal, President of the WSO said, “On behalf of the over 500,000 Sikhs across Canada, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of all victims of these tragic events.  The indescribable horror, death and destruction unleashed on hundreds of innocent people is an affront to democracy and the rule of law.” 

The WSO urges the Indian authorities to undertake detailed investigations and arrive at definitive conclusions before taking any action against the perpetrators of this violence. Gian Singh Sandhu, Senior Policy Advisor of the WSO said, “India is a tinderbox which can ignite into sectarian violence at any time.  We commend the restraint shown thus far by Indian authorities and leaders in not pointing any accusatory fingers until solid evidence has been gathered about the identity of the perpetrators. We urge the Government of India to act carefully to ensure that further tragedy does not occur, by unleashing a storm of ill will, hatred and violence amongst the diverse groups living in India. A knee jerk reaction must be avoided at all costs.” 

The World Sikh Organization of Canada is a non-profit human rights organization. It was founded in 1984 with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, social and economic status.
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For more information, please contact:  Maj(retd.) Jasbeer Singh, Media Relations, Tel. 780-457-3333, Cell. 780-235-6000, email:[email protected]

  Or:    
Amanpreet Singh Bal, Tel. 905-567-1795, Cel. 647-224-0000, email:[email protected]