Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) - Connecticut Chapter deplored the citation by a few members of the Connecticut General Assembly in the US congratulating declaration of "Sikh Independence" and "Connecticut state had no business to comment on domestic issues in India or supporting fringe elements to promote their divisive agenda.” 

“This initiative is from a few fringe elements who have no interest in the State of Connecticut, but promoting their own personal divisive agenda,” said Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin and Trustee of GOPIO-CT.

“Indian American community in Connecticut consists of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsees. All these communities live together as one Indian community and Connecticut state has no business to comment on issues pertaining to local issues in India or supporting fringe elements to promote their divisive agenda,” Dr. Abraham added.

“There are 20 million Sikhs living peacefully with all other communities all over India and this citation goes against the integrity of India,” said Ashok Nichani, President of GOPIO-CT

GOPIO has written to Connecticut State Senators and Assembly Representatives who introduced this citation to dissociate themselves from the citation.

The Indian Consulate General also condemned the statement by the Connecticut State General Assembly purporting to show support for what it called the “Declaration of Sikh Independence”. Calling it an attempt to use the name of the Assembly to “promote bigotry and hatred,” the consulate said, “We condemn the so-called citation of the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut in the USA regarding an illegal act”. It said that the consulate and the Embassy in Washington “will take up this issue appropriately with the concerned US lawmakers”.

The statement attributed to the Democratic Party-controlled State General Assembly comprising both the House of Representatives and the Senate was read out at a ceremony in front of the Norwich City Hall on Friday, according to a video by TV84, a New York Punjabi online media.

“Connecticut General Assembly offers its sincerest congratulations to the World Sikh Parliament in recognition of the 36th anniversary of the declaration of Sikh Independence”, said the statement purportedly signed by Senate President Pro-tem Mark Looney, Speaker Matthew Ridder and Secretary of State Denise Merril, according the video.

“We join with you and your friends and family in commemorating the historic resolution passed on April 29th 1986 by the collective Sikh nation”, it added.

The World Sikh Parliament is a Khalistani separatist organisation.

(SAM)