Afghan Ambassador Joins Sikhs in Delhi Protesting Jalalabad Massacre

09:14 GMT, 4 July 2018

New Delhi (Sputnik) — At least 19 people, mostly Sikhs, were killed in a suicide bombing in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Awtar Singh Khalsa, the only Sikh candidate running for the upcoming elections, was among the dead. The terrorist group Daesh has claimed responsibility.

Sputnik

In an unprecedented move, Afghanistan's ambassador to India Dr. Shaida Abdali has joined a massive protest organized by the Sikh community in New Delhi following a terrorist attack which left 19 people dead in Jalalabad, Afghanistan on Sunday. The protesters are demanding the protection of the Sikh community in Afghanistan.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the High Commission of Afghanistan in New Delhi holding placards demanding justice for those killed in Sunday's suicide bombing.

"Sikhs are the Ambassadors of peace across the globe, why killing of innocent Sikhs?" One of the placards read.

Some protesters demanded that the government of India should provide refuge to Sikhs if the Afghan government fails to ensure their security.

"The casualties should be compensated by the Afghanistan government. We request that the Indian government provide citizenship to our people and relocate them to India," the protester told ANI.

Expressing solidarity with the protestors, Ambassador Dr. Shaida Abdali assured them of speedy justice.

Earlier on Monday, a delegation of Afghan refugees living in Delhi called on Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and sought her intervention to facilitate the travel of those Sikhs who want to leave Afghanistan and come to India.

Sikhs practice a monotheistic religion that originated in the 15th century and are historically associated with the state of Punjab in northern India, where they constitute the majority.

* Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS/Islamic State) — a terrorist organisation banned in Russia.