US not to endorse petition on Khalistan

Washington, October 7

The White House today refused to comment on a petition seeking support for Khalistan and invoked President Barack Obama’s comments during his last year’s trip to New Delhi that India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along religious lines.

“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 responding to a separatist Sikh petition which had garnered more than 100,000 signatures.

Responding to a petition created on July 10 by an individual, identified with the initials of GP, within the stipulated 60 days, the White House said President Obama has made it a priority to promote and protect religious freedom for all people.

In an address to the people of India in 2015, Obama had reaffirmed the universal right for those who practice faith to do so as they choose and without fear of persecution, the White House response said, and quoted from his remarks then.

The White House said the US 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. — PTI