New Delhi: The United States condemned violent incidents that occurred during protests at Indian diplomatic facilities. Vedant Patel, US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson, said that resorting to violence or threats of violence is unacceptable in any form of protest.
During a press briefing, he addressed concerns regarding the Indian American community's safety, particularly in San Francisco, where fear has escalated due to vandalization of the Indian consulate by Khalistani supporters.
In response to a question about the Indian American community in the US living under fear from the few elements, or Khalistani elements, especially in San Francisco after the vandalization of the Indian consulate, Vedant Patel said, “We condemn the recent violent incidents that have taken place during protests at Indian diplomatic facilities in the United States.”
While emphasizing the importance of the First Amendment rights of protesters and free speech activities, Patel maintained that violence or the threat of violence should never be acceptable forms of protest.
“Look, we support the First Amendment rights of protesters, and we support engagement of free speech activities. However, violence or the threat of violence is never an acceptable form of protest,” he stated.
Patel said that the US Department of State is committed to taking necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of diplomatic facilities and employees.
“Consistent with our Vienna Convention obligations, the Department is committed to taking all appropriate steps, including coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, to protect the safety and security of these facilities and the diplomatic individuals who work within them as well,” he said.
The response from Vedant Patel comes after the pro-Khalistan supporters in the US threatened the Indian embassy and Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu during their protest on Saturday.
Asked about the attack on a journalist in Washington, US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the attacks against journalists are “never acceptable.” He said that the US condemns any incidents of violence against a member of the media.
“Attacks against journalists are never acceptable, and we condemn any incidents of violence against a member of the media just doing their job, and any act of violence or vandalism against a diplomatic facility as well,” Vedant Patel said.
During a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian Embassy in Washington on Saturday, a journalist of Indian origin was physically assaulted and subjected to verbal abuse by Khalistani supporters. The Indian embassy in the US has condemned the incident.
Condemning the incident, the Indian embassy said in a statement, “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.”