THE most cruel and heinous murder of Sikh youths by Pakistani Taliban for their refusal to convert to Islam calls for the severest condemnation by every civilised person. It is a chilling reminder that Islamic terrorism is having a field day in our neighbourhood.
I strongly condemn this ghastly crime by the jehadi elements in Pakistan. It is a reality that the Hindus and Sikhs of Pakistan have been the targets of jehadi terror for last several years. It must be recalled that the Sikhs living in FATA region have been subjected to jazia and houses and properties of hundreds of them were illegally confiscated by the Islamist hordes last year. They were pressurised into giving up their religion and embrace Islam.
True to their tradition the Sikh brethren refused to succumb to jehadi terror. The murdered Sikh youths have followed in the footsteps of great Sikh Gurus like Guru Teg Bahadur and have become martyrs to the cause of dharma thus setting up a shining example through their sacrifices.
I join millions of our countrymen to offer my heartfelt condolence to the family members of the murdered youths. The RSS has always played an active role in protecting Sikhism and dharma. I demand that the union government, which is taking initiative to reopen dialogue with Pakistan, must give the utmost priority to the protection of Sikhs and Hindus living in that country and put necessary pressure on the Pakistan government to ensure safe release of the kidnapped Sikh youths from the Islamists.
