Indian-origin Journalist Attacked by Khalistan Supporters in the US

An Indian-origin journalist residing in Washington, USA, was physically attacked and verbally abused while covering a pro-Khalistan protest. While the journalist decided not to take any action against the protestors, the Indian embassy in the US condemned the incident.

The incident took place last weekend outside the Indian embassy in the US where Khalistan supporters were protesting. An Indian-origin journalist residing in Washington named Lalit Jha was covering the protest when some of the protestors physically attacked and verbally abused him. According to reports, he got hit on his left ear with two sticks.

Talking to ANI, Jha reportedly said, “The pro-Khalistan protesters in support of Amritpal (Singh) waved Khalistan flags and descended upon the embassy in the presence of the US Secret Service. They even openly threatened to vandalize the embassy and threatened the Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.”

The protestors gathered from different parts of the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area. They were using microphones to make anti-India speeches both in English and Punjabi.

When he was attacked, Jha sought the help of US Secret Service officers who he spotted nearby. The officers protected him and helped him with his job. The journalist decided not to take any action against the protestors. “At one point I felt so threatened that I called 911. I then spotted Secret Service officers and narrated the incident to them,” Jha added.

The Indian embassy in the US condemned the incident and said, “We condemn such a grave and unwarranted attack on a senior journalist. Such activities only underscore the violent and anti-social tendencies of the so-called ‘Khalistani protestors’ and their supporters, who routinely engage in wanton violence and vandalism.”

There have been multiple protest events outside the Indian embassy and the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. The consulate was attacked by protestors on March 20 and videos reportedly showed the mob brandishing Khalistan flags mounted on wooden poles which they used to smash glass doors and windows. They broke through the barricades and installed two flags on the property.

Vineet Washington