During a protest organised by Sikh-American youths to support the ongoing farmers’ protest in India, some Khalistani separatists desecrated the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which was erected in Washington, DC, PTI reported. 

The separatists on Saturday hijacked peaceful demonstrations, a car rally to the Indian Embassy in downtown Washington DC, where they were carrying Khalistani flags with anti-India posters and banners and said they represent ‘The Republic of Khalistan.’ The Khalistani group raised anti-India and pro-Khalistan slogans.

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During the protests, where hundreds of Sikhs from in and around Greater Washington DC area, Maryland and Virginia, along with many from other states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina participated to express their solidarity with protesting farmers, many of the pro-Khalistan Sikh youths, while flashing Kirpans, jumped on the statue of Gandhi and pasted a poster over it.

The Indian Embassy has condemned the act by Khalistani supporters masquerading as protesters as “mischievous.”

In a statement, the embassy said, “The statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in front of the Embassy was defaced by Khalistani elements on 12 December 2020. The Embassy strongly condemns this mischievous act by hooligans masquerading as protesters against the universally respected icon of peace and justice.”

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This is for the second time that Gandhi’s statue has been desecrated by miscreants in the United States. The first such incident was reported on the intervening night of June 2 and 3.

The Embassy said it has lodged a strong protest with the US law enforcement agencies and has also taken up the matter with the Department of State for an early investigation and action against the culprits under the applicable law.

Farmers from different parts of India, majorly Haryana and Punjab, have been camping at various border points of Delhi for over two weeks, demanding the withdrawal of three farm laws, which were enacted by the Centre in September.