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Chief Minister Badal comforts shooting victims families
Chief Minister Badal comforts shooting victims families
OAK CREEK -- Punjab, India's Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal lost his brother-in-law, Satwant Singh Kaleka in Sunday's shooting at Oak Creek's Sikh Temple. Badal is now in Wisconsin after flying in from India. He and 11 cabinet members are in the state to attend a wedding. Now, in just one week, Badal will attend both a wedding and a funeral.
The wedding is planned for August 11th, with funeral services planned for all six victims just one day earlier -- Friday, August 10th.
Over the past few years, Badal's brother-in-law, Kaleka, became one of the most successful businessmen owning gas stations and other properties in the area. Kaleka's son, Amardeep, said Kaleka had worked hard since his arrival in the U.S. in 1982 to make his businesses flourish.
Kaleka served as the Sikh Temple's founder and president. He reportedly fought off the gunman, 40-year-old Wade Michael Page with a butter knife as his wife and other temple members hid in a closet.
Badal visited the families of each of the six victims Tuesday.
"This is a very painful time and this is very sad, and sorrows. We pray for peace -- peace for us, and peace for everybody -- the whole world," Badal said.
For sobbing relatives, Badal's personal visit meant a great deal, especially from a leader in India who is so respected. Badal rode in a motorcade through the area, sharing his words of optimism and solidarity.
"One thing the Sikh has always believed is to work hard, and believe in god and unite and love your neighbors. Wherever you are -- be loyal for the land," Badal said.
Badal offered to the victims' families to take care of any expenses associated with transporting victims' bodies to India with full honors. The Punjab government donated roughly $10,000 to each of the victims' families.
With the American flag waving in the wind and Badal gathered outside a victim's home, two sisters approached to extend their support.
"We just wanted to take over some vegetables and a card to let them know we`re very sorry about what happened. The Sikh people are so nice. They`ve never caused a problem in our community and they`ve always actually been positive in our community. It's unfortunate they have to suffer this," the sisters said.
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