In condemning the attack on former President Donald Trump at an election rally, a US-based Sikh rights group compared the shooter's mindset to that of ultra-nationalist Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, it says, “takes pride in getting his political opponents killed at home and abroad.”
“We, the pro-Khalistan Sikhs seeking a referendum for the independence of Punjab from Indian occupation, unequivocally condemn the assassination attempt on Trump,” said Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
The attack occurred just before Trump, 78, formally accepted the Republican presidential nomination at a campaign speech in Butler, Pennsylvania. Shots rang out, striking Trump in the right ear and causing minor injuries to his face.
The FBI has identified the suspect as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a registered Republican. The incident also tragically claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old rally-goer from Sarver, Pennsylvania, who Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed died while shielding his family from gunfire.
Pannun compared Trump's attack and the alleged actions of the Modi government in India, accusing them of targeting dissenting voices within the pro-Khalistan movement, such as Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and multiple incidents of alleged “murder-for-hire” plots in New York City.
“There is no place for political violence in a democracy. Political differences should always be resolved through voting, not through violence,” Pannun stressed, calling for a peaceful resolution through democratic processes such as the Khalistan referendum.
Criticising the Indian government for using political repression against pro-Khalistan Sikhs in Canada and the US, Pannun urged the Biden administration to take action.
“We hope that after this heinous political violence against Trump, the US administration will respond more severely to the use of political violence by domestic and foreign elements, such as India's transnational repression against pro-Khalistan Sikhs in the US,” Pannun said.
Pennsylvania police have yet to identify a motive for the attack. Both Republicans and Democrats will be closely watching for evidence of Crooks' political affiliation as they try to smear each other with accusations of extremism.
The shooting shook up the debate surrounding the presidential campaign, which had recently focused on whether Biden, 81, should step down after his disastrous performance in the June debate.
