US: Sikh community urged to 'fight fear and hate' after string of hate crime on Indians

Meanwhile, National Sikh Campaign (NSC) in a statement said, the Sikh community is saddened by the news from Washington state of an apparent hate crime committed against 39-year-old Deep Rai who was shot in the arm outside his home by a partially-masked gunman who shouted "go back to your own country".

"In light of this tragedy the Sikh-American community must be organised and proactively fight fear and hate by reaching out to our fellow Americans," said Dr Rajwant Singh, senior advisor to NSC, which has an national awareness campaign in the US.

This attack is part of a string of hate crimes and was preceded by a fatal shooting of two Indian immigrants in Kansas and by bomb threats on Jewish community centres, it said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and his loved ones. America is at its best when we recognise that the strength of our country is our diversity and fundamental values of religious tolerance and freedom of expression," said Gurwin Singh Ahuja, NSC executive director.

NSC said it would continue to work with people of all backgrounds and faiths to spread this message and continue to help educate our fellow Americans about Sikhism and its values.