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Sikh leaders blame media for backlash

Sikh leaders in New Delhi say the Western media is to blame for the cold-blooded killing of an innocent Sikh and attacks on other members of the community in the wake of the terrorist strikes in the US.

Many feel the American television channels' reluctance to propagate that Sikhs are a community distinct from Muslims, despite the seeming similarity produced by their wearing beards and flowing robes, was at the root of the anti-Sikh violence.

Well-known writer Patwant Singh dubbed the Western electronic media's role as "disgraceful".

There has been a spate of racially motivated attacks on Muslim and Arab men and women across the US in the wake of the September 11 terrorist bombings in New York and Washington that killed thousands of people.

The repeated flashing of pictures of terrorist suspect Osama bin Laden, who has a long beard and wears a turban, has worsened the situation for Sikhs.

The Sikh owner of a fuel station in Arizona was shot dead by a lone gunman who has since been arrested. Dozens of Sikh men have been manhandled or beaten up by Americans in many cities. A few gurdwaras have also come under attack.

"It's tragic that such incidents are taking place in America of all places. It's surprising that intelligent people are ignorant about the differences between Sikhs and Arabs. What is more disgraceful is the role of the media," Patwant Singh told this correspondent.

"They are flashing news round the clock about the attacks, but it is unfortunate they have not even mentioned the differences between Arabs and Sikhs. They are not projecting the correct picture.

"The current situation speaks of xenophobia and racial discrimination. Those who are attacking innocent Sikhs are themselves no less than terrorists."

National Minority Commission vice chairman Tarlochan Singh said: "The Sikh community is gravely concerned over the happenings in the US where Sikhs have been the target of American youths.

"Sikhs have been settled in America for 80 years and have stood by the American people at all times. During the Second World War, Sikhs went to Europe to fight the Germans. Thousands of Sikhs laid their lives to defend democracy in Europe.

"We want the American government to protect the Sikhs and their property. They should use the media to educate the Americans about the distinct Sikh identity, which is not happening at the moment," he said.

Akali Dal leader Balwinder Singh Talwandi agreed that "the American media is discriminatory against Indians."

Argues media analyst N Bhaskar Rao: "The Western media has not played a responsible role. They are giving news 24 hours a day, and it would have been easy for them to ensure that the public knew about the differences between the two communities.

"The attacks on Sikhs show that the Americans are not above stereotypes," said Rao, who heads the Centre for Media studies.

The Indian government has said it has taken up the attacks with US authorities, and Indian diplomats have also reportedly taken steps to spread awareness about the identity of the Sikh community among Americans.

Indo-Asian News Service

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