Proud ally of the Sikh American Community | Congressman Ami Bera

Proud ally of the Sikh American Community

Aug 18, 2014
Ami's Updates

As the only Indian-American Member of Congress, and a member of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I am proud to be an ally to the Sikh American community. 

My office has been fortunate enough to host multiple summer interns from the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and I was excited to spend time talking with this summer’s SALDEF intern cohort  about civic community engagement and their experiences working in Washington.  This ambitious group of interns spearheaded the organization of the first annual Langar on the Hill, hosting a langar for Members of Congress, staff, and community to educate them about Sikhism and the issues facing Sikh Americans. I was happy to attend and speak at the langar, and was thrilled to see many of my colleagues in Congress attending as well.

Congressman John Garamendi and I had a wonderful time participating in the 34th Annual Sikh Festival and Parade in Yuba City last year. We had the honor of serving food and partaking in this celebration that draws 100,000 people to Yuba City each year.
Congressman John Garamendi and I had a wonderful time participating in the 34th Annual Sikh Festival and Parade in Yuba City last year. We had the honor of serving food and partaking in this celebration that draws 100,000 people to Yuba City each year.

I am a cosponsor of the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which directs local educational agencies to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment.  I also have signed a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan asking for disaggregated data on bullying as well as targeted outreach to help combat the bullying of Sikh American children, over 50% of whom are bullied in school.

We have heard many stories in the past few years of hate crimes targeting members of the Sikh community, from the killing of Sikhs in my hometown of Elk Grove, CA to the tragedy at Oak Creek, WI two years ago and the recent attacks on Sikh American individuals in New York. In addition to cosponsoring the End Racial Profiling Act, I support adding the prohibition of profiling on the basis of religion to the U.S. Department of Justices’ Guidance on Racial Profiling. As a member of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I signed a letter to the United States Department of Justice voicing strong support for including an anti-Sikh category on the Hate Crime Incident Report. Including this category is an important step in confronting hatred and increasing public awareness of these atrocities. Collecting and organizing data in this manner will also help inform trends of anti-Sikh violence and the effects of broader awareness efforts to inform Americans about Sikhism.

Sikh Americans have been contributing to the fabric of American society for many decades, if not centuries, and it is important that we recognize their achievements.  I was fortunate enough to meet with Major Kamal Singh Kalsi, an ardent advocate of changing military policies so that Sikhs would be able to serve if qualified while maintaining their turbans and uncut hair without having to seek special religious accommodations. I’ve signed a letter to Defense Secretary Hagel advocating for these measures as well.

After my meeting with Major Kalsi in my Washington, D.C. office.
After my meeting with Major Kalsi in my Washington, D.C. office.

In addition to advocating for the civil rights and safety of the Sikh American community, I am happy to participate in their vibrant traditions, and am honored to help bring Congressional recognition to important holidays such as Vaisakhi.  I am thankful for the contributions that this community has made to California and the United States, and am proud to represent them in Congress.