SALDEF in the News
The Houston Police Department announced Monday that the department is changing its dress code policy to be more inclusive in honor of a fallen Sikh deputy. Mayor Sylvester Turner added that the department will now accommodate Sikh officers by letting them wear their articles of faith while on duty and acknowledged that Sikhs have a proud history as first responders & members of the military. Sandeep Dhaliwal, a 10-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and its first Sikh deputy, was shot multiple times while conducting a traffic stop in September. Kiran Kaur Gill from SALDEF commented that “We have seen Sikhs across the country proud to show their children that here in America, Sikhs can serve as an officer in the law enforcement without compromising their faith.”
FBI: Hate crimes against people up in Michigan
Hate crimes in Michigan against people increased last year, according to FBI statistics released last week. There were 352 hate crime offenses in Michigan in 2018 against persons, a category that includes assaults, a 17% increase from 2017, when there were 302 hate crimes against people. Also, there was triple the number of hate crimes targeting Sikhs, increasing from 20 in 2017 to 60 in 2018. Kiran Kaur Gill from SALDEF added that “Hate crimes continue to be a threat to minorities throughout the nation.” The real number of hate crimes against Sikhs and other groups are probably higher given that “underreporting continues to be a significant issue that needs to be addressed.” Gill said.
Recent News
Sikh community fears worship site will be razed to make way for condos
A notice taped on a nearby tree is the only official word that Sikh worshippers, say they received about plans to raze the gurdwara where they’ve gathered for decades. A four-story commercial and residential condominium complex is now planned to take over the Sikh Community Gurdwara in Alhambra, California. The project has been approved by the city of Alhambra’s planning commission. But Sikh worshippers said their landlord never informed them that the building where they’ve gathered for decades would be demolished. The community is now getting one last chance at a new public hearing to speak in favor of their place of worship, which they say is a sacred space.
Growing numbers of families crossing the border are coming from India and other continents
Border Patrol apprehensions of migrant “family units” hit 473,682 in fiscal year 2019, up 342% from the 107,212 the previous year. In reality, people forced to leave their home countries due to persecution come from all walks of life, economic backgrounds and education levels, experts say. The sudden arrival of families from India, for example, could reflect rising persecution against religious minorities, including Sikhs, Muslims and Christians. Randy Capps, director of research for U.S. programs at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute, added that many of the immigrants are “religious minorities, Sikhs in particular. They are fleeing religious persecution in many cases”
How a ‘Sikh Heritage Night’ at a Sacramento Kings game sparked a movement against bigotry
Inderjit Singh Kallirai’s efforts began with the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and its legions of adoring Sikh fans. The Sacramento Kings’ first-ever Sikh Heritage Night took place on Sunday, April 13, 2014. A couple years later, the San Jose Sharks became the first NHL team to host Sikh Heritage Night on ice. Outside the arena, performers twirled swords in a traditional martial arts demonstration. Inside, on the concourse, community members manned a booth where fans could get their heads wrapped in that most visible of Sikh garments, a turban. And other cities are following suit. Over the last five years, Sikh heritage events have become increasingly common at pro sports stadiums around the United States. They started in California, where half of America’s Sikh population lives, and have since popped up as far away as San Antonio, Detroit, and Philadelphia. They’ve been held at NBA, NFL, and NHL arenas.
Documentary on Guru Nanak set for premier screening in Washington on November 20
Gerald Krell and Adam Krell, directors of a documentary on Guru Nanak Dev, were felicitated by the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (GGSF), Washington, on the occasion of 550th Parkash Purb of the first Sikh Guru. At the documentary’s screening in Washington on November 20, film directors, along with prominent religious leaders and authors were present. A panel discussion on the documentary and the historical role of Guru Nanak Dev was also conducted at the National Press Club. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) will facilitate the broadcast of the documentary on 200 TV stations all over America in the coming months as Sikhs are celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism.
The Sikh Society of Harrisburg celebrated Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary
This past Sunday, the Sikh Society of Harrisburg celebrated the 550th birth anniversary or Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The celebration has three parts which are based on the three fundamental principles of a Sikh’s life. The Naam Japo was celebrated in Enola with three days of continuous reading of Akhand Path, the religious text of Sikhism, along with the reciting of hymns. The Vand Chhako was celebrated by the Sikh Society of Harrisburg inviting the public to an open house at their Gurdwara or temple. The Kirat Karo, had a service element known as ‘Seva’, which the local Sikh community participated in by having a blood donation drive outside the Gurdwara. The organizers of this year’s celebration want to continue to build bridges with their interfaith neighbors and introduce the community to the Sikh faith.
Most of my Heroes: A tribute to victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, considered as one of the worst pogroms in the history of India after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is the subject of artist Vijay Jodha’s “Most of my Heroes”, artist Vijay Jodha’s exhibition. The exhibition showcases the forgotten victims who have been portrayed on giant postage stamps. Vijay plans to showcase a series of exhibitions at prominent art galleries across India and overseas to depict one of the worst riots in India which left more than 3,000 Sikhs dead in New Delhi and an estimated 8,000 across India. According to the artist, the postage stamps with zero value is a reflection of mob violence and delay in justice attached to innocent lives. Vijay added that “The endless recurrence of mob violence and delay in justice are all a reflection of zero value attached to innocent lives that are lost every time.”