SALDEF Commends the DOJ for New Charges Against Indian Government Employee Targeting Sikh Americans
SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) is deeply alarmed by the Department of Justice’s announcement of charges against Vikash Yadav, an Indian government employee, in connection with a plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen and Sikh activist on American soil. This is a stark reminder of the escalating and dangerous reality of transnational repression targeting diaspora communities in the United States.
We commend the Department of Justice, FBI, and the federal government for their vigilance and commitment to protecting the safety and sovereignty of Americans. However, this incident highlights the urgent need for continued and comprehensive action to protect vulnerable communities in America, particularly the Sikh diaspora, who have been increasingly targeted for their activism and dissent against foreign governments.
The Sikh American community in the United States has a fundamental right to advocate for human rights and justice without fear of intimidation, violence, or retaliation from foreign actors. SALDEF urges the U.S. government to continue its efforts in holding foreign governments accountable for any attempt to silence or harm American citizens within our borders.
“We are outraged and deeply concerned by the attempted assassination of plot a Sikh American on U.S. soil, orchestrated by an Indian government employee,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF. “This is a grave violation of our community’s rights and a threat to American democracy. We applaud the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement for their swift action, but we must do more. The United States must take concrete steps to protect all Americans from foreign repression, as seen with the charges filed today. We call on Congress to pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act, championed by Representative Adam Schiff, to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing these threats. Sikh Americans, like all communities in the United States, have the right to live without fear of foreign intimidation or violence.”
SALDEF remains committed to advocating for the safety and rights of Sikh Americans and other diaspora communities affected by transnational repression. We urge the government to continue making strong public statements and enacting legislation that safeguards our constitutional rights and protects our communities from foreign interference.