Over Seas

Sacramento Sikhs Share Concerns of Discrimination in India with Congressman McClintock

April 25, 2017 | By Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI)

SACRAMENTO (OFMI): Sacramento-area Sikhs may call America home, but they are looking for help from Washington to fight discrimination overseas.

Local Sikh leaders met with Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) on Thursday evening to raise concerns over alleged discrimination and persecution against Sikhs – and other minorities – in India.

“We are always being targeted,” said Balbir Dhillon, president of the Sacramento Sikh Gurdwara.

He says American Sikhs continue to struggle with the violent attacks against their community, whose turbans and long beards make them easy targets. But Thursday night, the focus was on India.

The group addressed the current conditions of minorities in India, including Muslims and Christians, who they say continue to be blacklisted under India’s new right-wing government. They believe, given McClintock’s record, he can be their voice in Washington.

“He has championed the cause of minorities heavily persecuted in India,” explained Bhajan Singh, the founder of the Organization For Minorities of India.

“It’s a just cause. I can’t put it any more simply than that,” said McClintock.

He says, given the growing role of India in international politics, holding their government accountable is crucial, adding that first-hand testimony from local groups about issues abroad can be valuable in helping to shape and prioritize U.S. foreign policy.

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Related Topics: Bhajan Singh (OFMI), Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI), Sikh News USA, Sikhs in United States

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