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NEW YORK: Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a human rights group, has decided to challenge Presiden Barack Obma’s invitation to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Washington next month.
The invitation was formally delivered by US Secretary of State John Kerry a week ago.
Know more: Obama invites Modi amid snooping row
The SFJ has filed a motion seeking information on the process undertaken by the White House to allow Mr Modi to come to US as his visa was revoked in 2005 during the Bush administration on human rights violations charges.
The SFJ said in a press release: “Narendra Modi’s visa was cancelled/revoked by the United States government in 2005 for his involvement in serious human rights violations during 2002 massacre in the state of Gujarat while he was the chief minister of that state.”
The group says: “Since Mr Modi is due to arrive in the United States during September 2014 and is scheduled to attend a summit at the White House, it is urgent that public be aware of how and under what US law a decision was taken to reverse ban on the issuance of visa to Mr Modi.”
Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2014
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On DawnNews
Comments (85) Closed
Aug 07, 2014 05:30am
These NRI Sikhs based in USA, Canada and uk need to concentrate on the treatment of Sikhs by rednecks in their host countries . Recently a Sikh got run over by racist in New York and a Sikh got killed in Pakistan by a mob. They need to address those issues instead of making statements to stay in media limelight
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Aug 07, 2014 05:34am
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is a joke. they even claimed Modi was behind 1984 incident
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Aug 07, 2014 06:29am
There is NO evidence that Modi was involved in the riots in anyway! His political opponents, the FAKE Ghandhis did their best for the last 10 years to frame MODI for any charges in any way but in India courts only act on evidence.
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Aug 07, 2014 06:35am
Where are the muslims of America? Why the Sikhs had to raise the voice against Modi's visit?
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Aug 07, 2014 07:10am
They just want to be in news.
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Aug 07, 2014 07:42am
Sikhs doing what they belief in "Sarbat Tha Bhalla". For the well being of all humanity. Always standing up for justice.
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Aug 07, 2014 08:46am
@Mahen really, is there no evidence ? Are you sure the courts act only on evidence. Wow !
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Aug 07, 2014 09:36am
SFG is the true representative of Sikhs. Modi is not welcome due to his track record of atrocities against minorities.
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Aug 07, 2014 09:44am
@Azam Khan
"Are you sure the courts act only on evidence"
Yes, Indian courts do. That is why bombing accused get released by these courts.
Can you think of any Blasphemy Accused being released by Pakistani courts?
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Aug 07, 2014 09:49am
After observing California events for more than 10 years, I can clearly state that SFG is a non-entity of little substance and carries little weight. I have yet to see or experience any thing that SFG has achieved or organized. They are a small social group that might just be seeking publicity. No body gives a damn about such flaky groups with no substance.
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Aug 07, 2014 09:53am
I cannot understand Sikh anger in the US. What has Modi done to them? Also, US wants to meet Modi for business. India, China and US understand that business comes first
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Aug 07, 2014 10:25am
@Azam Khan Yes, because congress Gov. tried hard to punish modi on wrong facts. Also, they were influencing the court too, but Modi was not found guilty. As my earlier comment your kind of people will never like him as he is driving India very nicely.
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Aug 07, 2014 10:39am
Hmm..Here Akali Dal is main supporter of Mr.Modi . Hilarious .
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Aug 07, 2014 10:54am
@Tamilselvan Kindly sort out your mess yourself and stop bringing in Pakistan everywhere
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Aug 07, 2014 10:55am
SFJ needs to be commended for taking this step. After all, it will bring into question the law under which the original ban was placed on Modi. And if you know the answer, it was activism and lies that got Modi banned, now it is time for that answer to come out too.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:02am
@Berinder Singh California USA Mohammad Singh- any evidence?
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Aug 07, 2014 11:03am
Traitors...
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Aug 07, 2014 11:05am
@Azam Khan Nobody is guilty until proven and there is no proof against him.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:05am
You think do Modi or US care about human rights. US does not have any moral authority left to talk about human rights. US has massacred more than 27 Million people in last 60 years. On what grounds they will challenge Modi who may have slaughtered not even five thousand people.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:16am
@Zohaib :Where are the muslims of America? Why the Sikhs had to raise the voice against Modi's visit?:
Muslims of America are suffering, suppressed, under oppression. They dare not speak even as they weather the storm. The brave Sikh have taken the right decision to expose the truth about minorities in Bharat.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:19am
@KRana "They just want to be in news."
No, sir. They only want truth and facts in the news.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:25am
@Berinder Singh California USA Well done SFJ....
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Aug 07, 2014 11:25am
@Azam Khan I don't how u r courts function? In our country courts function on evidences and proof
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Aug 07, 2014 11:26am
Well done SFJ... Modi not welcome to USA.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:35am
@Azam Khan Yes really there is no evidence. If there was any Congress would not have let him stay out of prison.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:36am
After getting elected by the people, person becomes newly born! Now Modi is angel and is cleared of all the sins.
Obama is the worst president ever elected to the presidency by the votes Muslim Arabs, Pakistanis and Mexicans.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:45am
See traces of Ghulam Nabi Fai and his backers here.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:55am
@ Berinder Singh California USA
Meh..No one cares for your opinion. He is going to come in September to address UN general assembly. Stop it if you can.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:59am
@Berinder Singh California USA than stop him, if you can
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Aug 07, 2014 12:07pm
@Berinder Singh California USA SFG is an outdated body. A useless part of Khalistan mindset. THey dont know that shouting against the head of a state, they are doing no good to themselves.
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Aug 07, 2014 12:29pm
@Azam Khan
10 years thats even under UPA govt tried hard to make him culprit. DO you think BJP can overpower UPA to destroy evidences?
If that is the case, it would be favor to congress according to your logic.
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Aug 07, 2014 01:00pm
In the operation blue star in 1984, an estimated eight thousand Sikhs were killed when the troops stormed their holy golden temple in Amritsar, In the wake of the assassination of Indira Gandhi an estimated three thousand Sikhs were killed. The Indian forces and the Hindutva has the blood in their hands of thousands of Sikhs.
The Gujarat massacre is another blood curdling episode. The Sikhs are protesting against the Hindutva agenda as Modi symbolizes and represents the hardliners(He has spent all his life in RSS).
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Aug 07, 2014 01:03pm
@Mahen
In which world are you living - still believer of true justice - you must be a Modi fan/follower to blindly support his bad deeds
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Aug 07, 2014 01:13pm
@Berinder Singh California USA What about the atrocities committed by your kind of Sikhs against countless Hndus in Punjab? Has any Sikh ever been prosecuted for these crimes? It speaks volumes about your one sided, bigoted stand designed to mislead Skhs living abroad and to keep you in business of milking funds from Sikhs far removd from reality!
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Aug 07, 2014 01:31pm
MAybe SFJ wants some world wide attention - who better than Modi these days!!
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Aug 07, 2014 01:40pm
@Berinder Singh California USA Any Evidence?
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Aug 07, 2014 02:06pm
@BRR Supported by Gulam Nabi file type people, most of the Sikh population lives in India and they support Modi.
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Aug 07, 2014 02:57pm
@Shah, Canada Sitting in Canada and talking about Indo US relation. Time for you to take your cab and find some customer and earn money.
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Aug 07, 2014 02:59pm
Whats your name : SFJ , what do you want : Don't know, when do you want : NOW
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Aug 07, 2014 03:27pm
Nobody knows.main reason behind the this visa ban in 2005.
in fact USA and many european countries banned visa because while he has the CM of
gujarat in 2005 he banned the conversion to christian through the missnaries.
the riot happen in 2002 then why the visa ban was on 2002.
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Aug 07, 2014 03:33pm
@Berinder Singh California USA Is Mr Modi being opposed to throw out crony Con party Sikh PM, or for his involvement in 1984 riots. Who is funding SFJ to raise issues which do not concern Sikhs.
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Aug 07, 2014 03:39pm
@Shah, Canada USA is very keen to host Mr Modi and so are all countries of the world. SFJ has earned its fame of worth two pence by opposing his visit. It is an old tactic of failed organizations to shine in the reflected glory of great leaders.
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Aug 07, 2014 03:58pm
But Sikhs from India like Modi Jee!
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Aug 07, 2014 04:02pm
@Berinder Singh California USA Sikhs should try to get justice for Sikhs killed in 1984 First. Sikhs should stay away from Modi.
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Aug 07, 2014 04:07pm
@observer
rimsha masih... try reading a little.
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Aug 07, 2014 04:13pm
@gujarati makes sense! actually!!
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Aug 07, 2014 04:24pm
@Berinder Singh California USA U mean Sikhs decide who is and not welcome in USA? Get well soon. Take your tablets on time!
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Aug 07, 2014 04:27pm
@salman cheema
whoever these people they should worry about their problems rather than wasting their time on duly elected prime minister of india,who is one person trying to improve india.americans should investigate who is financing them Pakistan or indian national congress
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Aug 07, 2014 04:36pm
How will Sikhs challenge that? Are they going to shut down all the gas stations in the US?
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Aug 07, 2014 05:29pm
@Azam Khan My dear man, if they found an iota of evidence Sonia Gandhi and her coterie would have burned him at the stake. However hard they tried they could not succeed. Remember they were in power in the center and took great pains to collect evidence against Modi and failed even though they used considerable Federal machinery.
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Aug 07, 2014 05:32pm
@Berinder Singh California USA Not much you can do about it , can you? USA does not care about human rights but just economy. If you do not like how we run the Government here you are most welcome to get the heck out of here and go back to where ever you came from.
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Aug 07, 2014 05:37pm
@Shah, Canada You are not welcome to the USA either. Modi will bring employment to the USA, what will you bring? We even have a plan against your invasion, you know that?
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Aug 07, 2014 05:40pm
These kind of ploys won't work.Some people are utterly frustrated about India and about Modi.Carry on folks.you are waging a losing battle.Better luck next time.
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Aug 07, 2014 05:47pm
Good decision by the Sikh community (SFJ) of New York.
Nevertheless, let me inform them in advance that for whatever reasons, elaboration on which is beyond the scope, size and design of this short note, their motion will be thrown out of the court because unfortunately and realistically speaking, we all live in a world wherein "might is still right" and power, influence, money, interests, position, status and resources eventually walk and talk.
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Aug 07, 2014 05:51pm
@Karachi Wally OMG, pakistan is only country who talk about human right
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Aug 07, 2014 06:41pm
I wonder, if these supporter of Modi, will accuse Sikh Justice Front same way if Obama invites a Osama Bin Ladin.
They have only asked to provide them the paperwork. In US, not like other 3rd world countries, State Department follows certain guidelines.
I myself is sure that Modi will visit US. He is a very smart politician and know how to handle US.
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Aug 07, 2014 07:25pm
**During his tenure as CM Gujarat, his voilance against Muslim minority in 2002 Gujarat Riots resulted in a boycott by the UK, the US and the EU**.
He was baned from entering the United States under a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Modi was the only person ever banned by US embassy for visa to the U.S. under this provision. UK as well as the European Union refused to deal with Modi because of perceptions of his role in the riots.
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Aug 07, 2014 07:49pm
@Tamilselvan But it is a valid question. Under what laws did the US government change the decision? They should also follow the other concerns if they wish, that's for the Sikhs to decide.
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Aug 07, 2014 08:14pm
@jaswinder singh Anyone who tries to make money-making easier...is liked by all.
I love Sikhs' activism. During the tsunami destruction in TN,Sikhs organized a train load of relief supplies from Punjab and ran a free kitchen in Tamilnadu feeding the homeless and the distressed..hats off to them!
And,I used to work in a free clinic run by a gurudwara in TN and was amazed at the quality and quantity of free drugs and health care offered for just Rs 5!
This is a case of the same kind of activism running amok!
Narendra Modi had NOTHING to do with the Akali-Congress politics in Punjab which resulted in the unfortunate Blue Star operation to flush out killer much like Lal Masjid in Islamabad.
I want to remind one and all that a Congress government run by Amarinder Singh is at helm in Punjab right now?
Comical politics! dangerous and painful one considering the number of people killed in Punjab during the violent 80's!!!:(:(
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Aug 07, 2014 08:17pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad I would say that the motion would be thrown out of court based on it's MERITS!
Richard Nixon,for all the power he wielded hand to step down based on the MERITS of the case right?
Similarly Indira Gandhi was unseated by an Indian court before the Emergency of 1976?
Courts do work in the US and India as well?:):):)
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Aug 07, 2014 08:46pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad , Prime Minister Modi's existing tourist/business visa was also revoked under section 212 (a) (2) (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 212 (a) (2) (g) makes any foreign government official who "was responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom" ineligible for a visa to the United States. Since Prime Minister Modi has been exonerated by a due process of law in a democratic republic, the aforementioned section does not hold water any more. In addition, the revocation was done by the Executive Branch ( Department of State ) and not the judiciary or legislature in the US. And the current policy to reinstate the visa is a reversal of that Executive Branch ( Department of State ) decision by the Chief Executive, the President of the United States. Therefore, the silly SFJ petition will be dismissed because it has no legal grounds to be considered. Not because of the nonsensical speculation mentioned in your post regarding "might is right" etc.
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Aug 07, 2014 09:20pm
@Tamilselvan: You do not need to tell what Sikh people need to do in US. The Sikhs are well aware of their responsibility to their community. Protesting regards to Prime Minister Modis visit is no concern of you because the court case is in regard to decision of Visa process. In 2005, USA decide to hold Chief Minister Modi responsible for the race riot, which cause the State Department to revoke his visa.
My advice to you: Shut up and mind your business.
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Aug 07, 2014 09:20pm
They are acting in favor of Modiji... now US has to say it was big mistake and politically motivated...
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Aug 07, 2014 09:40pm
Somebody has the guts to stand up to the Butcher of Gujrat.
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Aug 07, 2014 09:42pm
The US talks to worse people than Modi. Take Mubarak , Saddam and now even the dictator Sisi.
The US has no morals or ethics.
Take Israel a pariah state by any standard but yet they continue to support this state which attacks and kills innocent unarmed civilians.
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Aug 07, 2014 09:47pm
@El Cid
Muslims in America are happy and safer than most places. Last I checked Muslims wanted to come to America. I"m happy I'm here.
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Aug 07, 2014 09:55pm
Mr. Modi is a duly elected Prime-Minister of India. He has been invited as Prime-Minister and not as an individual. A non-invitation by the President Obama would mean insulting and rejecting 1.2 billion Indians.
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Aug 07, 2014 10:15pm
As a Sikh living in the US for many years, I find this quite amusing. This irrelevant organization which calls itself SFJ does not represent the entire or main stream Sikh community in any way, shape or form. There are other relevant Sikh organizations like the Sikh Coalition & World Sikh council etc who are doing some good work for the community. These guys (SFJ) are just fighting for relevancy by any means.
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Aug 07, 2014 10:19pm
@Tamilselvan : Don't paint all the Sikhs with the same brush. These guys don't represent a vast majority of sikhs just as you being a Tamil is not represented by the LTTE.
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Aug 07, 2014 11:57pm
Its amazing how well some Sikhs, mostly farmers in California, have done well in the US from hard work and perseverence. They are respected by all, and all Indians looks up to them, regardless of religion. They are to be congratualted for whatever success they have achieved as a community.
However, to assume such a small fraction of the Sikh community in the US represented by the SFJ has so much clout as to cause any harm to Modi's agenda or US / India relations is to assume too much.
Let them have their 15 secs of fame before they slink back under a rock.
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Aug 08, 2014 12:55am
another Sardar joke
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Aug 08, 2014 01:16am
Modi has blood on his hands.
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Aug 08, 2014 04:08am
@Azam Khan May be not in Pakistan but definitely in India. It was the Supreme Court of India which exonerated Modi.
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Aug 08, 2014 04:48am
I agree with this move. I too would like to know under what legislation, a previous legal standing of the US Government now stands annulled. Whether Modi is a great guy or an instigator of racial riots is quite beside the point. Rule of law should be that unless the White House proclaims some sort of executive privilege convincingly.
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Aug 08, 2014 05:13am
These expatriate sikhs are the don quixotes of the modern world. They go to court and raise some news items - they know that nothing will come out of it. They want other sikhs to believe that they are are some kind of an organization. Modi did nothing to the Sikhs and a key sikh party is in alliance with the BJP. They should concentrate on protecting themselves from discrimination in foreign lands due to their beards and turbans. More sikhs have been mistakenly killed as muslims than any muslim in USA
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Aug 08, 2014 05:49am
Same mistake, Pakistanis with IK are making, the mistakes Muslim Arab, Pakistanis and Mexicans made of casting votes for Obama. Obama has done everything US Muslims did not expect him to do.
My personal analysis is that the republican presidents a follow balanced foreign both for Israel and Islamic countries while democratic presidents follow a foreign policy that favors Israel at the cost of Islamic countries.
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Aug 08, 2014 07:15am
I am reminded of the classic story "The Emperor's New Clothes" Hans Christian Andersen when an innocent child had courage to speak the truth : In this instance we can compare the Sikh group with the innocent child who dared to say The King is Naked
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Aug 08, 2014 02:35pm
@Anwar Siddique:"Muslims in America are happy and safer than most places...I"m happy I'm here."
Sure you are. As long as you are look servile and are menial you do fine cleaning up after them. Not if you have the looks and ability to compete with the best of them. I am well aware of how most of you live there.
Enough said.
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Aug 09, 2014 12:26am
@Berinder Singh California USA 100percennt agree with u my friend
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Aug 09, 2014 12:27am
i am with mr sing
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Aug 09, 2014 10:02am
@Berinder Singh California USA what atrocities are you talking about? Please stop this hatred towards India, you have nothing to gain. Please forgive india for the 1984 riots. Nothing of this sort happened before 1984 and nothing of this sort has happened after that unfortunate time. Times have changed, people have changed.
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Aug 09, 2014 01:47pm
@Akhtar they talk to Pakistan too. You forgot to mention.
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Aug 09, 2014 06:31pm
Looks like the Sardarjis have lost their puny minds! :)
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Aug 09, 2014 06:50pm
@Azam Khan Yeah that is the norm in India and being a Pakistani u doubt the supreme court verdict is also normal i guess:))))
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Aug 14, 2014 09:12am
@Berinder Singh California USA Dear Sir, please come to India and see, what kind of changes he is bringing about, rather than rant about him in the foreign land.
Have u ever cared to oppose Manmohan Singh to US ? Remember 84 riots ?
Please do away with this hypocrisy !!
This kind of protest is totally uncalled for and unaccepted.
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