The White House has effectively dismissed a separatist online petition seeking support for the creation of ‘Khalistan’, noting “India will succeed as long as it is not splintered along lines of religious faith”.
“While we appreciate your participation on this platform, we cannot comment here on the specific policy issue raised in your petition,” the White House said in its response.
The petition, using the White House’s online platform, “We the people”, had been initiated on July 10 by an individual with the initials GP. The White House issues a response whenever a petition attracts more than 100,000 signatures. The petition on ‘Khalistan’ boasted of nearly 107,000 signatures.
In its response, the White House said “President Obama has made it a priority to promote and protect religious freedom for all people, both at home and abroad”, and alluded to his comments when he visited India in January 2015.
On that occasion, Obama, while reaffirming the universal right to practice one’s faith without fear of persecution, had commented how important this precept was for India.
“The peace we seek in the world begins in human hearts. And it finds its glorious expression when we look beyond any differences in religion or tribe, and rejoice in the beauty of every soul,” Obama had said at the time, adding: “And nowhere is that more important than India,” Obama had said at the time. Nowhere is it going to be more necessary for that foundational value to be upheld.”
“India,” he had gone on to say, “will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith – so long as it’s not splintered along any lines – and is unified as one nation.”
The United States, the White House response noted, has monitored and publicly reported on human rights issues, including the atrocities committed against members of the Sikh community during the 1984 violence in India.