The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) strongly condemns the reported attack, intimidation and looting of a Sikh sewa team that had travelled to Bihar to distribute relief materials and serve people in need. According to reports circulating about the incident, the volunteers were allegedly confronted and attacked by a crowd, with relief material reportedly looted. A woman member of the team was also said to have been placed in a threatening situation. If confirmed, such conduct is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable.
Sewa is a fundamental Sikh tradition, and Sikh volunteers have repeatedly stepped forward during floods, disasters, pandemics and other emergencies to provide food, medicine and relief to people without discrimination. Those who undertake humanitarian service should be protected, not subjected to violence, intimidation or theft. NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said that the reported incident deserves immediate and impartial investigation by the Bihar authorities.
Those responsible, if identified and found to have committed offences, should be dealt with strictly according to law. NAPA also urges the authorities to ensure the safety of humanitarian volunteers and their relief operations and to take appropriate measures so that such incidents do not recur. “People who travel to serve humanity carry no political agenda and seek no personal benefit. They carry only the spirit of compassion and service. Any attack on such volunteers is a matter of serious concern and must not be ignored,” Chahal said. NAPA stands in solidarity with the affected sevadars and calls for accountability, protection of volunteers and the safe continuation of humanitarian relief work