Hartford,Connecticut: Hate crimes on Sikh community has become global concern now and even in Canada and America where Sikhs are living for more than 100 years it is still a big issue.
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa President of Sikh Sewak Society International USA and Member Commission on City planning Norwich is working on addressing this issue from past 7 years in State of Connecticut at local as well as state level.
Work of Mr.Khalsa has also been recognised by Congressman Joe Courtney in U.S Congressional Record this year as well.
It has been more than 6 years when Swaranjit has been working with Department of Justice as Ambassador in AMS program to educate First responders.
Now he is also working with F.B.I and Judicial Branch of Connecticut State.
This month he was appointed to give two presentation at state level out of which one was in Hartford Academy where Police officers and first responders came in huge number to attend the presentation.
Second one was in Judical Branch office in Hartford where turban tying was also one of the main attraction.
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa also told everyone that after 1984 Sikh genocide of India most of Sikhs moved out of India To countries like America,Canada and England.
During presentation he told that “99% people in America who wear turban are Sikhs and right name for Sikh Turban is “Dastaar””.
He also answered questions of participants related to “Kirpan” which is article of faith for Sikhs but sometime law enforcement treat is as a weapon.
Khalsa said “Sikhism is different from all other religions of the world because this religion has concept of “Sant-Soldier” and you have to have qualities of Sant in order to become good soldier.”
Most of slides in presentation were related to post 9/11 challenges and hate crime situations sikhs has faced so far including not allowing Waris Aluwalia to board the plane from Mexico due to his Dastaar (Turban).
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa mentioned that this year we have two more Sikh presenters which has been approved by Department of Justice to give presentations.
At the end he said “Gurudwaras should promote Sikh awareness activities and should make separate committees of youngsters to address and tackle Sikh awareness issues at local levels”.
“Waking in Oak Creek” movie was also shown to pay homage to people who died during terrorist attack on Sikh Temple of Oak Creek.