Over Seas

Elderly Sikh attacked outside Fresno Gurudwara; Sikh Congressional Caucus takes up the issue with FBI

May 11, 2013 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

California, United States (May 11, 2013): It is learnt that an elderly Sikh named Piara Singh was attacked few days back at Fresno Gurdwara in California. Piara Singh (82) was returning from the Gurudwara Sahib when he was hit by a youth with iron rod in an apparent hate crime.

According to information the accused has been arrested by the police.

Taking a strong view of the vicious attack on 82-year-old Piara Singh at Fresno Sikh Temple in California, the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, a recently set up group of US lawmakers, has taken up the issue of hate crimes against the Sikh community with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Caucus’s co chair Judy Chu in a statement said, “My heart broke when I heard about suspected hate crime on Piara Singh, an elderly Sikh man dedicated to his faith and his community. He was doing what he did every day, volunteering at his Gurdwara, when a man viciously attacked him”.

In the wake of Oak Creek and Elk Grove, it is clear that hysteria and stereotyping are still far too common. We must combat the growing wave of violence and intolerance that threatens the safety and civil liberties of all Americans, including the Sikh American community”.

Another co chair David G. Valadao in a separate statement said “I am deeply saddened to learn of the recent attack on Piara Singh outside the Southwest Fresno temple, Gurdwara Nanaksar on Sunday morning.

He said “Heartbreaking events such as this, highlight deep societal problems, specifically what I believe is a general disregard for human life that has unfortunately become prevalent in our society. The Central Valley is home to more than 25,000 Sikhs.

They play a very important role in our communities. I am co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Sikh Caucus, a group of Members focused on representing Sikhs and the many unique challenges they face. I am proud to represent a community that plays such a significant role in my district”.

Meanwhile American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) coordinator Dr. Pritpal Singh hailed the Cacus for taking up the issue .

“We strongly condemn the incident asked have the community to stay calm and resort to prayers and stressed that the incident shows how justified is the Caucus which aims to seek government and policy makers help on community issues in US”, Dr. Pritpal Singh reportedly told Times of India (TOI).

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Related Topics: First American Sikh Congressional Caucus, Hate Crimes, Sikhs in United States

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