Protest leads to violence at Indian consulate in San Francisco

The reaction to violence at the Indian consulate in San Francisco has been largely one of outrage, reports The American Kahani.

Protestors there Sunday are accused of breaking windows, spray painting graffiti and injuring workers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The demonstrations in San Francisco coincided with similar rallies in London and Canberra, Australia in response to a manhunt for Amritpal Singh, a supporter of a separatist movement seeking an independent homeland for Sikhs, otherwise known as the Khalistan movement. Singh leads a group called Waris Punjab De, or the “heirs of Punjab.”

112 people were reportedly arrested in Punjab after similar protests there.

The Chronicle reports that workers inside the consulate in San Francisco say they were attacked as demonstrators tried to enter the building.

“We certainly condemn that vandalism,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday, reported KTVU.

Jesse Singh of Sikhs for America joined in the criticism saying to the American Kahani it “strongly condemns the destruction and violence” and that a “handful of people are making the community look bad.”

Indian American lawmakers have been largely silent on the issue, but a Saratoga City Councilmember near San Jose did say “These reprehensible acts of violence against diplomatic missions and their staff are a violation of international norms and principles that govern peaceful diplomacy,” Rishi Kumar wrote in a Facebook post. “It is the responsibility of the host countries to ensure the safety and security of diplomatic personnel and their premises.”