UNITING AGAINST CASTE DISCRIMINATION: CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS CELEBRATE SB 403’S SUCCESSFUL ASSEMBLY VOTE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 28, 2023

 

UNITING AGAINST CASTE DISCRIMINATION: CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS CELEBRATE SB 403’S SUCCESSFUL ASSEMBLY VOTE

The coalition now calls on Gov. Newsom to swiftly sign the bill

 

SACRAMENTO, CA– Today, the Californians for Caste Equity Coalition of civil rights organizations, state legislators, and community advocates joined forces to celebrate the rapid passage of California State Bill SB403. The anti-caste discrimination bill just passed its final procedural step, with the California Senate casting a successful final concurrence vote. Now, the coalition calls on Governor Newsom to swiftly sign the bill. 

 

SB403 seeks to combat caste discrimination and strengthen protections for marginalized communities across the state. State Senator Wahab, the lead author of the bill, joined caste equity civil rights activists and organizations from across the country—including the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and Equality Labs—in their united effort to promote equality and justice for California’s caste-oppressed community.

 

Caste bias has long been a pressing concern affecting individuals’ lives and well-being. SB403 represents a significant step forward in addressing this urgent civil rights issue and creating a more inclusive society for all. The bill ensures that individuals are protected from discrimination based on their perceived position in the caste system—a system of social stratification on the basis of inherited status. California is the first state in the country to pass such civil rights protections, following Harvard University, the entire city of Seattle, UC Davis, California State University and many others’ recent moves to add caste as an explicitly protected category in non-discrimination policies. This recent wave of historic victories indicates that the call to eliminate caste-based discrimination is gaining widespread momentum.

 

Kiran Kaur Gill

Executive Director of SALDEF

“SB403 is a crucial piece of legislation that will protect vulnerable communities from discrimination and foster a more equitable California. We are proud to stand alongside our coalition partners in advocating for the passage of this historic bill. Caste-based discrimination is especially prevalent in South Asian communities in America, but this bill sets a national example for expanding civil rights and the American values of liberty and justice for all.”

 

Thenmozhi Soundararajan

Executive Director of Equality Labs

“The Assembly Vote is a win for the ages. After conducting over 700 advocacy meetings across the entire state of California the people have spoken resoundingly for caste equity protections. As a Californian who has endured caste my whole life   I know the struggles and adversity caste-oppressed Californians have unjustly faced firsthand.  Caste-oppressed people have organized for over twenty years so we could have lives free from violent attacks and discrimination; now, the California assembly has voted decisively to bring us closer to victory. .As the bill progresses we ask Governor Newsome to sign this bill once it crosses his desk so that  California can lead the nation and the world to ensure that our institutions are free from discrimination and ensure opportunity for all. “

 

Amar Shergill

CA Democratic Chair of the Progressive Caucus

 “There is broad consensus in California among Democrats and Republicans that discrimination, in any form, is unacceptable. It was my honor to help advance the successful effort to ban caste discrimination in the California Democratic Party, and we appreciate Senator Wahab leading the way to extend the prohibition to the State of California. It is our duty to stand up for equal opportunity for all Californians.”

 

Pooja Ren

Hindus for Caste Equity

“As a Dalit Hindu I want to make sure we can make workplaces safe for all workers, as well as all schools for my children. Future Dalit generations in the diaspora must be protected. Pathways must be paved for our children to feel safe from casteist bullying and discrimination from casteist parents. For we must have justice when caste-discrimination occurs. We are a community that has suffered for centuries, and protection will give us the human rights as residents of California to live a life free from caste discrimination. We are tired of living in the closet and hiding our identities so that our children do not have to endure what we survived. Change can only happen through policy protections. We need to heal from the violence of caste and as Hindus it is our duty to stand in this powerful interfaith, intercaste, and multiracial movement to remedy caste inequality. For it is clear that caste discrimination is unlawful and through this bill we intend to set the table for our community to heal and reconcile from caste. We thank the California Assembly for standing with us!” 

 

Nirmal Singh

MD, MPH, Shri Guru Ravidass Community, Bakersfield

“As part of this civil right movement to end caste based discrimination in the state of California, I stand strong with my SB 403 team. It is possible in democratic countries like the United States of America that people at the bottom rung of the society, sans political power -sans economic power, are fighting with meager resources for their own dignity and self-respect. History is being written and posterity will remember these actions. Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar would have felt proud of us today, if he were physically present among us”. 

 

Leaders from partner organizations, including the Jakara Movement, Tech Equity, Council on American-Islamic Relations, South Asian Network, were also present to show their support for SB403.

 

This event aimed to highlight the urgent need for SB403 and the critical role it plays in advancing social justice. Personal testimonies, including Shahira’s story of caste discrimination, will underscore the importance of swift legislative action.

 

Shahira Bhangar

Californians for Caste Equity

“As a Dalit Sikh woman who was born and raised in California, this Bill is close to my heart. One of my earliest memories as a teenager was being bullied and harassed in school when my dominant caste friends found out about my caste. I also vividly recall landing my first Silicon Valley tech job post-grad but being questioned about my caste background by my supervisor. It is imperative that a legal remedy is in place and that clear caste equity protections are implemented in the State of California immediately. The State of California is taking a historic lead for caste-oppressed folks everywhere – caste discrimination is rampant and the first step to rectify this issue is with explicit protections.”

 

Prem Pariyar
National Association of Social Workers and Alameda County Human Rights Commissioner

“I am immensely proud to witness this historic moment in California, where the ban on caste discrimination is resoundingly supported. This triumph brings hope to Dalits and advocates, echoing my own experiences as a Hindu Nepali Dalit who has faced discrimination in the workplace and places of worship. Today’s overwhelming votes mark a day of gratitude for our ancestors and a milestone in history. Let us declare that caste discrimination has no place in society, be it in America or anywhere else. This is why esteemed institutions like the CSU system, American Bar Association have taken a stand, and why tireless workers continue their noble battle for rights and dignity.”

 

Naindeep Singh
Jakara Movement

“Today is the critical moment where California legislators put away their differences to affirm civil rights for all Californians. A historic coalition of 40+ Sikh communities across California unapologetically stands together with our caste-oppressed families, united, emboldened, and powerful, in amplifying the clarion call from the 15th century Punjab to 21st century California, demanding an end to caste discrimination and equality for all.”

 

SatPaul Surila
International Bahujan Organization, Pittsburgh, California

“I’m proud to be a part of the SB 403 campaign to end caste discrimination in California and for our future generations. Caste discrimination is a very serious crisis for mental and physical health. We need to end caste discrimination once and for all, not just in California but throughout the world, everyone deserves to live their life with dignity and respect.”

 

Ramesh Suman

Supreme Council of Shri Guru Ravidass Sabhas of California 

“We are very pleased to see this historic solidarity and unity among our sangat of Sri Guru Ravidass temples across the state in support of the bill SB403. We are so happy that the bill is moving forward and we will continue until we make California a Begampura as our guruji wanted.. We look forward to this bill becoming a law soon.” 

 

Sana Qutubuddin

Indian American Muslim Council and No Separate Justice

As a caste oppressed  Indian Muslim, my freedom is connected to the freedom of all caste oppressed people and I am filled with unstoppable joy with our victory in the assembly today. We are united in our ask for caste equity and we ask all folks to stand with the cause for justice and love. It is important to me that California legislators listen to the pain of caste oppressed people of all faiths and work swiftly to remedy this violence. Justice can no longer be delayed and we cannot wait to build with fellow Californians on this important issue.

 

Tarina Mand
South Asian Bar Association Civil Rights Taskforce

“Today California took bold step to dismantle caste discrimination in a call for equity and a recognition that deep seated biases can be passed through a community for generations and across continents. As our communities process some incredibly disheartening judicial decisions in recent months about the value of our diverse national spirit, the passage of SB-403 today stands out as a watershed moment.”

 

Tanuja Gupta

Law Student, Activist, Google whistleblower on caste discrimination

Founder of Caste Equity Legal Task Force

SB403 protects workers who speak out against caste discrimination AND those who are accused of caste discrimination. Companies and courts alike will now better understand the meaning of caste, the required level of rigor around internal investigations of caste discrimination, and how caste fits into California’s legal framework for discrimination claims, in terms of the burdens of proof, production and persuasion. SB403 requires public and private institutions to reckon with matters of the caste in modern America.”

 

Maya Kamble
Ambedkar Association of North America 

“Despite what opponents of this bill suggest, SB-403 seeks to build a better, more improved, and more peaceful California for everyone. This bill does not, nor will it ever target Hindus or any specific faith. Rather, it provides protections for all—ensuring that California continues to hold its long standing title as one of the most inclusive U.S. states.”

 

Megan Abell

Senior Director of Advocacy at TechEquity Collaborative

“We know that across the tech industry, caste bias can cause harassment and career immobility on the job. That’s why we’re delighted to see that today, our assembly took a stand against caste-based discrimination. Let’s get SB 403 over the finish line to ensure all workers, in tech and beyond, are protected.”

 

Shakeel Syed
South Asian Network

“As an Indian American Muslim living in California & statewide leader of South Asian Network, I am glad this bill will proceed to the next stage. As someone with caste privilege, I hope it will bring reconciliation and healing to our communities as well as needed respite to the casteism we see across so many of our clients. I am sorry for the casteism I have seen in my past but our goal now is to stop this discrimination in the present and then to work together to build bridges of understanding and hope. We are stronger together and this bill is the first step towards that.” 

 

About SALDEF:

SALDEF is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Sikh Americans and ensuring a fostering environment for future generations.

www.saldef.org

 

About Equality Labs:

Equality Labs is a Dalit Civil Rights Organization that works to advocate for caste, gender, and racial equity. You can find us at equalitylabs.org and on our socials at @equalitylabs. For more information please reach out to Dani Sher at communications@equalitylabs.org.

 

About State Senator Wahab:

Senator Aisha Wahab represents the 10th Senate District, which includes the cities of Fremont, Hayward, Newark, Union City, Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale; as well as unincorporated communities of Alameda and Santa Clara counties including Fairview, Alum Rock, East Foothills. Senator Wahab lives in Hayward. Website of Senator Aisha Wahab: https://sd10.senate.ca.gov

 

Contact:

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

 

Amrita Kular, SALDEF Director of Communications

(202) 393-2700 

saldefmedia@gmail.com

 

Dani Sher, Director of Marketing & Communications at Equality Labs 

communications@equalitylabs.org

 

To learn more about SB403 and SALDEF’s work click here

ICYMI: SALDEF x SB403

WASHINGTON, D.C.–  Today, empowering the fight for free speech and against the stifling of Sikh voices, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) took a bold stand by hosting a Social Media Censorship Day of Action on X, formerly known as Twitter. This concerted effort aims to shed light on the censorship faced by Sikh Americans and to demand accountability from the current leadership of X. Today also is Indian Independence Day. 

SALDEF’s Social Media Censorship Day of Action served as a platform to address the grave issue of censorship that has marginalized Sikh voices. The event included an earnest plea for a response from X’s present leadership and insights from SALDEF’s new and comprehensive 2023 Dissent Across ‘Democracies’ censorship report.

The panel discussion featured: 

  • Jyot Singh, Policy Manager at SALDEF
  • Jas Singh, Founding Member of The Sikh Net (United Kingdom)
  • Hardeep Singh, freelance journalist and Deputy Director of the Sikh Messenger (United Kingdom)
  • Jasveer Singh, Senior Press Officer for the Sikh Press Association 

Notably, the candid admission by Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter, on a 2023 YouTube show, wherein he revealed the Indian government’s overt threats to Twitter, underscores the perilous erosion of democratic values within a nation that prides itself as the world’s largest democracy.

“The Indian government’s global social media disinformation campaign and manipulation of profit-driven social media firms have severely constrained the Sikh diaspora’s online freedom of speech. This suppression repeatedly manifested in recent years as censorship faced by Sikh Americans who attempted to engage in honest discussions about the 2020-21 farmers’ protests, advocated for justice amid the state’s manhunt of a Sikh activist in 2023, and continue to truthfully highlight broader human rights concerns in India,” said Jyot Singh, Policy Manager at SALDEF.

Public critics of the Indian government, including global Sikh activists, endure targeted online harassment. SALDEF’s extensive research has captured firsthand accounts of individuals receiving hate-filled emails and direct messages on significant Sikh holidays or memorial dates. This hostility often seeps from their dedicated Sikh-focused pages to their personal profiles and even businesses, resulting in unwarranted review bombings that endanger livelihoods. Censored journalists and activists were a part of the panel.

 

[QUOTES FROM OTHER SPEAKERS]

SALDEF’s resolute response to this urgent issue is reflected in its 2023 Dissent Across ‘Democracies’ censorship report. The report presents well-founded recommendations aimed at empowering platforms to withstand manipulation and safeguard democratic values. Among these recommendations are strategies like geofencing antiterrorism requests, cultivating alliances with advocates for marginalized communities, partnering with democracy-oriented nonprofits, and fostering resilience in the face of challenges.

“This is an important report on an extremely serious subject which indeed has global ramifications. SALDEF must be commended for their continuous and comprehensive efforts in highlighting such sinister incursions on free speech, not least because of the interference with that very inalienable right, now impacting diasporic communities – as has been observed on prominent social media platforms, like the one formerly known as Twitter. Let’s hope policy makers, community organizations and companies take its thoughtful recommendations seriously, and implement steps to act upon them,” said Hardeep Singh, freelance journalist and Deputy Director of the Sikh Messenger.

“Twitter has been absolutely appalling when it comes to engaging on issues that impact the Sikh community which stem from censorship and fall into misinformation and beyond that,” said Jasveer Singh, Senior Press Officer for the Sikh Press Association.

“Personally, Sikh Press Association probably sent a dozen different emails over the course of six months with our account running freely on Twitter and we were just being completely ignored,” said Jasveer Singh, Senior Press Officer for the Sikh Press Association.

“It was ironic because Meta had us down as an organization that they wanted to engage with in terms of discussion and opening up and getting feedback into the Sikh community and I said, ‘That’s fine, but you’ve already banned us from your platform’,” said Jas Singh, Sikh Activist and Founder of The Sikh Network (UK)

“I saw Jack Dorsey’s message where he openly admitted that India forced Twitter to take action against accounts posting about the Farmers’ Protests or else they’ll shut down Twitter’s offices in the country. But, he presided over Twitter and did nothing. To admit it afterwards, and then pass the books to Elon Musk and blame him is a huge failure for Twitter’s leadership,” said Jas Singh, Sikh Activist and Founder of The Sikh Network (UK)

To read SALDEF’s full 2023 Dissent Across ‘Democracies’ censorship report, please visit https://saldef.org/sikhcensorship/.

 

About SALDEF:

SALDEF is a national Sikh American advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. focused on building leadership and capacity in the Sikh American community.

Our mission is to empower Sikh Americans by building dialogue, deepening understanding, promoting civic and political participation, and upholding social justice and religious freedom for all Americans.

We are grounded in our values of optimism (chardi kala), humility (nimrata) and service (seva), inspired by the community (sangat) for the benefit of all (sarbat da bhalla). We envision a United States where Sikh Americans are recognized as a vibrant and integral part of the fabric of this nation and are respected for our shared values of service, social justice, and an unshakeable belief in freedom and equality for all.

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SALDEF Executive Director to Highlight Sikh Activism at the Largest Global Gathering of Interfaith Leaders

We are excited to announce the participation of SALDEF Executive Director, Kiran Kaur Gill in the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions from August 14-18 in Chicago, IL.

The 2023 Parliament convening is the most important and largest gathering of the world’s religious and spiritual leaders and practitioners, activists, and organizers uniting in a collective, courageous, and clear reply to the most dangerous crisis confronting us today–authoritarianism.

As the leader of the oldest Sikh advocacy organization in the United States, Kiran Kaur Gill has a proven track record of working to promote understanding and tolerance between different faiths.

The listed sessions at the Parliament (photo on right) will be an opportunity to share her insights on how we can build a more just and equitable world for all people.

The Parliament of the World’s Religions is a unique opportunity for people of all faiths to come together and build bridges of understanding. To view full event details, please visit https://parliamentofreligions.org/2023-program/.

SikhLEAD Interns Host Langar on the Hill to Promote Sikh Values

Nearly 150 people, including members of Congress, attended the annual Langar hosted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)’s SikhLEAD Internship class and the office of Rep. Chuck Schumer, on Capitol Hill on July 26.

Langar is a 500-year old Sikh tradition that aims to eradicate segregation and classicism and promote food justice. Among the members of Congress who attended the event included Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) and Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13).

Speaking on the occasion, SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill explained the importance of Langar in the context of the Sikh American experience.

“Sikh Americans have a long history of innovative community engagement and leadership, from the Honorable Dalip Singh Saund who was one of our great pioneers in Congress, to the advocates at SALDEF. Having the occasion to share a meal as equals is a strong reminder about the values of equality and universal friendship.”

While Sikh Americans have a 125-year history in the United States, there are still a lot of misperceptions about the community. Langar on the Hill is a significant opportunity for us to introduce our American history and Sikh values, including equality for all. Moreover, it is a unique opportunity for this rising generation to express to our nation’s leaders how we intend to deepen our civic participation.

We’d like to take the time to thank the volunteers and all our supporters across the nation who donated to this event and contributed to its success.

(Washington, DC) — The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) is deeply disappointed with President Biden’s decision to celebrate Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a state visit, and with Congressional leaders’ accompanying decision to honor PM Modi with an address to a joint session of Congress.

 

“We, alongside advocates for other Indian diasporic minorities undergoing intensely antidemocratic censorship, discrimination, and extrajudicial violence, are disheartened to see PM Modi receive the highest honors our federal government can bestow on a head of state,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF. “As extensively documented by civil society, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom, and increasingly the State Department, the Modi regime is an appropriate designee of Country of Particular Concern status under the International Religious Freedom Act due to its widespread and escalating human rights violations. In this context, we feel deep disappointment that the administration and members of Congress have elected to turn a blind eye and to uncritically celebrate an autocratic regime in the name of geopolitics.”

 

From banning BBC documentaries about Modi’s career to raiding Western media offices in India to forcing social media platforms to comply with censorship demands, the Indian state demonstrates extraordinary commitment to pursuing its autocratic agenda globally.

 

“We are deeply appreciative of those in Congress who are opposing these decisions to overlook and minimize the struggle of communities like ours, and look forward to supporting their actions to demonstrate solidarity,” continued Gill.

On May 18, 2023, anti-bullying nonprofit Act To Change rallied the nation in commemorating the fifth Annual National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Day Against Bullying and Hate. SALDEF is committed to ending bullying and hate in the AAPI community and is proud to join over 100 organizations and over 40 cities, states and jurisdictions in this movement.

Act To Change’s commemoration on May 18 was part of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and marks the birthday of Vincent Chin. In 1982, Chin was falsely blamed for the layoffs in the auto industry, and brutally murdered in a racial hate crime. He lost his life simply because he was Asian. Chin’s death launched the modern Asian American movement, and we’re proud to join Act To Change in continuing this movement.

America has a longstanding history of anti-AAPI racism and violence especially with post 9/11 stereotyping, COVID-19 fueled hate crimes, the use of the “model minority” myth, and the 2023 exclusionary land purchase laws. AAPIs are continually portrayed as the “perpetual foreigner” and AAPI youth grow up feeling the need to prove their Americanness. Sikh turbans are often misconstrued by others to be symbols of hate. Educating the American public about who we are, and standing up against bullying and hate will make sure that AAPI communities’ voices are heard.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a staggering rise in verbal and physical violence against people of AAPI descent, with nearly 12,000 incidents reported to Stop AAPI Hate. The most vulnerable communities, including youth and elders, bore the brunt of this violence, and AAPI youth continue to become targets of ridicule, social isolation and physical violence in schools. Cyberbullying is another worrying issue, contributing to low self-esteem, social anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. SALDEF strongly condemns any acts of bullying or harassment and has created a guide for Sikh parents on how to address school bullying with their children.

All communities of color, including AAPIs, are disproportionately impacted by gun violence. The mass shootings this year in Allen, Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, along with near-daily school shootings force our communities to live in fear. The Sikh American community has dealt with tragedies such as Oak Creek, and the Fed Ex mass shooting in Indianapolis which has left devastating and lasting impressions on all of us.

The National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate is a celebration of AAPI youth. AAPI youth continue to organize within their schools communities, and fight bullying with awareness, art, creativity and compassion for each other. Act To Change’s Youth Ambassadors and Homeroom Anti-Bullying Workshop participants lead exceptional programming and workshops among their peers. AAPI youth grow up to become exceptional leaders, and inspire the nation.

The AAPI community continues to face an epidemic of hate and violence. We stand in solidarity with the AAPI community, and publicly denounce all forms of bullying and hate. We stand in solidarity with Act To Change and numerous community partners to encourage the public to foster dialogue, share resources, and end bullying and hate.

(Washington, D.C.) – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund is extremely disappointed in the House’s passage of H.R. 2 the “Secure the Border Act.”

 

At a time when we see an increase in people seeking asylum and refugee status, including Sikhs from India, this bill shuts down legal pathways for humane entry. The bill eliminates protections for children and would allow us to return to horrible practices of family detention that shocked the country during the Trump Administration. Finally, the bill would break down relationships between nonprofits serving migrants as part of their sewa, including gurdwaras that serve migrants from Punjab.

(Washington, DC) – SALDEF is deeply concerned about the ongoing situation in Punjab, including reports about the suspension of internet services and restrictions on the social media accounts of non-government-aligned reporters, organizations, and members of the public in India and throughout the world.

The Sikh American community stands with the global sangat expressing their concerns about limitations on the rights of reporters, human rights, and free expression in India. Free expression is a cornerstone of an engaged and active democracy.

As demonstrated in SALDEF’s report on global censorship of our community during the 2020-21 Punjab Farmers’ Protest, “When #Sikh Was Banned Worldwide,” the Indian government has a record of using similar tactics to limit the voice of the Sikh community in India and around the globe.

SALDEF is connecting with the Biden Administration to share concerns. We encourage you to contact your public officials and the media to raise awareness and encourage them to speak out on the ongoing situation.  There are many ways you can help join the fight:

Background Information on the History of Censorship:

As outlined in our Censorship Report and by numerous human rights organizations, including ENSAAF and Amnesty International, the Indian government has a history of using repressive tactics to stifle protest and oppose dissent. These include:

  • Shutting down internet access in regions of the country
  • Restricting access to social media accounts and ordering take-down notices to tech companies, including the accounts of journalists, activists, and elected officials from around the world
  • Arrests and detention of activists, lawyers, and human rights organizers
  • Limiting the freedom of assembly and the freedom of the press

For many Sikhs in the diaspora, the current tactics of the Indian and state governments echo the experiences of minority communities across India. They remind people of traumas they and their families experienced in Punjab during the 1970s through the 1990s. These concerns have been heightened due to the actions taken during and in response to the Farmer’s Protests of 2020-2021.

SALDEF Investigates Decrease in Reported Anti-Sikh Incidents in Updated FBI Hate Crime Data

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2023
Contact: Jyot Singh | Research and Policy Manager | jyot.singh@saldef.org

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released an updated 2021 national hate crime report, documenting 185 incidents of anti-Sikh hate crimes. While the vast majority of targeted groups saw an increase that corrected for the underreporting in the first release, the Sikh community  had 30 fewer incidents reported in the updated statistics, down from 214.

“We are gravely concerned that, in a side-by-side comparison of the original and updated hate crime data which corrects for underreporting, every non-Christian religious group saw an increase in reported incidents–except Sikh Americans. We are reaching out to the Department of Justice and other agencies to understand why correcting for underreporting resulted in 30 incidents of anti-Sikh hate disappearing,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF). “While 185 incidents is still extremely significant, we are working to understand why our community–which has historically high bias and hate incidents per capita year-over-year–has been the only one with such a significant reduction.” 

The original 2021 hate crime report released in December 2022 did not include data from at least 22% of law enforcement agencies across the country, including those in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Phoenix (all areas with significant Sikh populations). This new dataset intends to fill those gaps in data, and overall does show significantly higher numbers of incidents across the board.

“The updated data to correct for underreporting reflect a 13.6% decrease in the reported number of anti-Sikh hate crimes. We are alarmed by this discrepancy, and we look forward to  conversations to determine the exact cause of this and to prevent erasure of our community in future federal hate crimes data,” continued Gill.

With the help of SALDEF volunteers, staff, and generous supporters like you, SALDEF continues to build the electoral power of Sikh Americans across the country through concerted civic engagement efforts. 

We witnessed the power of youth in mobilizing their communities. Equipped and trained by SALDEF staff members, over 50 SikhVOTE volunteers worked tirelessly to preserve our democracy. By focusing on linguistically and culturally competent voter registration, education, and mobilization efforts, SALDEF mobilized over 100,000 Sikh voters across America. 

From Maryland to California, Sikh youth across America hosted tabling sessions at their local gurdwaras and called voters in both English and Punjabi. Collectively, they emphasized the importance of voting and making our voices heard at the ballot box. We are so grateful for all of their seva, time and energy. 

Thank you again for the critical role you’ve played in this election. For us, and for voters everywhere, YOU are the Heroes of Democracy! Keep up your great work, we need you now more than ever.  Help guarantee the promise of democracy for the next generation, click here to support SALDEF.