The Government and people of India have strongly condemned the heinous terrorists attacks in New York and Washington D.C. and have expressed their deepest sympathies with the people of the United States. The President of India has called this reprehensible act a crime not just against the United States, but against all humanity. The Prime Minister has said that India stands with the United States in this hour of adversity in its shared commitment to defeat the forces of terror and has offered full cooperation in investigations into this crime. Condemnation of these terrorist attacks has come from all sections and members of Indian society and from the Indian community in the United Kingdom. 

The High Commission of India has seen press reports regarding harassment of members of the Sikh community and other Indians in the United Kingdom in the wake of the terrorists attacks in New York and Washington D.C. Some sections of the press have also published pictures that erroneously show a male Sikh in the context of their reporting on the terrorist acts. The publication of these pictures has heightened concerns that they could trigger more misguided harassment. 

The High Commission has taken up the issue of harassment with the local civic authorities. It has also written to the editors of the concerned publications regarding the misleading pictures. The High Commission would like to emphasize that the Sikhs are a law abiding, peaceful and progressive community from India. They are adherents of a modern, open and democratic faith. Their outward appearance, which is a manifestation of their religious beliefs, has made them victims of mistaken identity. Along with other Indians, they themselves have been targets of terrorism, and have been known for acts of great heroism. 

At a special event held on September 16 at the Central London gurudwara, a large congregation of the Sikh community approved a resolution expressing strong condemnation of the terrorist acts and sending condolences to the bereaved families.