Kashmir assembly condemns Pakistani Sikh’s beheading
By IANSTuesday, February 23, 2010
JAMMU - The Jammu and Kashmir assembly Tuesday condemned the beheading of a Sikh in Pakistan as “barbaric” and demanded that Islamabad be asked to provide protection to minorities in that country.
The issue was raised by Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla, who said the incident had shaken the community across India. He said protests in Jammu over the issue was reflective of the anger of the community and others over the incident.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and other members of the house also condemned the incident as “barbaric”. They said the Pakistan government should be asked to stop such incidents.
Sikhs in Jammu held demonstrations. They also blocked the Jammu-Pathankote highway and burnt effigies of the Taliban and Pakistan.
“We demand that the government of India tell Pakistan in the strongest possible terms that Sikhs will not tolerate this kind of barbaric action against their community members in Pakistan,” said Mahant Manjit Singh, a Sikh religious leader.
The Taliban reportedly beheaded the Sikh and sent back his severed head Sunday for his refusal to convert to Islam.
