November | 2012 |

Artwork depicting a candle for freedom (source: Huffington Post)

Immy Kaur: Bandi Chhorh Divas as a reminder of freedom

November 13, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

As a Sikh I feel incredibly inspired by the courage and leadership that the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Sahib Jee, showed in 1619. The Sikhs celebrate this event as ‘Bandi Chorr’ at the same time as the Diwali festival. There are a number of messages that come from Guru Sahib’s compassion and determination during his captivity, and when ensuring the release of the 52 Hindu kings with him, despite the chance to be freed alone. For me, […]

Categories: Events, Reflections • Tags: Bandi Chhorh Divas, Diwali, Guru Hargobind, Immy Kaur

"Guru Hargobind - a painting from the Lahore Museum (courtsey F.Aijazzudin)" (source: sikh-heritage.co.uk)

Reflecting on Bandi Chhorh Divas as a personal challenge

November 12, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

This week, most of those of South Asian descent around the world are celebrating Diwali, the “festival of lights” that is rooted in the Hindu tradition. It is one of the major celebrations of the year for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, and was even recognized in a video by President Obama in 2009. I have written in past years about Bandi Chhorh Divas — the Sikh celebration at this time of year that commemorates the release from the prison at […]

Categories: Events, Reflections • Tags: Bandi Chhorh Divas, Barack Obama, Diwali, Guru Hargobind

"Karm Bains, left, looks on Saturday night as law enforcement personnel investigate two stabbings following a meeting at a Sikh temple in Yuba City." (Nate Chute/Appeal-Democrat)

Violence erupts at Yuba City, CA, Gurdwara

November 12, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

On Saturday night, news broke about a brawl that occurred outside the Gurdwara in Yuba City, California — the same that hosted the Sikh Parade in Yuba City last week — that required police action: Two men were stabbed, a third was assaulted, more than a dozen were pepper-sprayed and several others were hurt Saturday night during a brawl outside the Tierra Buena Sikh Temple in Yuba City. “It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened here,” said Dave Chima, a […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: California, Gurdwara, Gurdwara conflict, Yuba City

Satyendra Singh Huja (source: City of Charlottesville)

Sikh mayor of Charlottesville, VA, calls for prayers to celebrate religious freedom

November 9, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, Satyendra Singh Huja — a Sikh American — has called for prayers to commemorate the city’s legacy as the origin of the concept of religious freedom in America: In a surprise letter sent to all churches, temples and centers of faith in the greater Charlottesville area, Mayor Satyendra Singh Huja has called for prayers of thanksgiving to mark the 250th Anniversary of Charlottesville Virginia this weekend. Charlottesville is considered by many to be the birthplace […]

Categories: Interfaith, News Bits • Tags: Charlottesville, Satyendra Singh Huja, Thomas Jefferson, Virginia

2012 Nagar Kirtan festivities at the Sikh Temple Yuba City (photo credit: Karaminder Ghuman)

75,000 people attend Yuba City, CA, Nagar Kirtan

November 9, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

A reported 75,000 people attended last weekend’s Yuba City Sikh Parade (in its 33rd year) in Yuba City, California: Before the start of the Sikh Parade, a function was organized at the Sikh Gurdwara where U.S. Congressmen John Germandy and Wally Herger besides several Sikh leaders addressed the huge audience. Speaking on the occasion, Germandy, while congratulating the Sikhs, appreciated the role of the community in the all-round development of the United States. He said the community was a respectable […]

Categories: Events, News Bits • Tags: California, car accident, Nagar Kirtan, Sikh Parade, Yuba City

Fresno Sikh Institute Phase I (source: Fresno Bee)

First phase of Sikh Institute in Fresno, CA, nears completion

November 9, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Sikh community in Fresno, California are reportedly nearing completion of the first phase of the Sikh Institute of Fresno, a Gurdwara and Sikh community facility that will replace a smaller Gurdwara in that city: The nearly $10 million Sikh Institute of Fresno, a 48,000-square-foot building on 11 acres on North Parkway Drive, is scheduled to open in January. …The new building features six classrooms, an indoor community eating area, a main hall for about 800 worshippers on the second […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: California, Fresno, Gurdwara, Sikh Institute of Fresno

Sikh Awareness Month being celebrated across California

November 8, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

With the California state legislature designating November as Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month in California, there has been significant activity across the state to commemorate the month and increase awareness of the Sikh American community. The declaration by the State of California has provided a unique opportunity for the public to learn more about the Sikh American community in the state and beyond. To that end, the Sikh Coalition has provided a wealth of resources and support to facilitate […]

Categories: Events, Resources • Tags: California, Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month, Sikh Awareness Month, Sikh Coalition

US DoJ investigating CA Department of Corrections over beard ban

November 8, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Earlier last year, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reached a settlement with Trilochan Singh Oberoi in his employment discrimination case against their refusal to hire him as a correctional officer unless he shaved his uncut beard, a Sikh article of faith. Despite reaching a settlement and offering Trilochan Singh a position elsewhere in the organization, the CDCR still would not change its policy. Where the discrimination lies is in that the CDCR had made medical exemptions for […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Politics • Tags: AB1964, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CDCR, DOJ, Harmeet Kaur Dhillon, Jerry Brown, Mariko Yamada, Trilochan Singh Oberoi, United States Justice Department, Workplace Religious Freedom Act

City of Lathrop, CA, elects Sikh American for mayor

November 7, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Continuing the tally of Sikh Americans who ran for office in this 2012 election cycle, the city of Lathrop, California, has elected City Councilman Sonny Dhaliwal as Mayor: LATHROP – Veteran City Councilman Sonny Dhaliwal appeared headed toward a landslide victory Tuesday night in the highly contentious race to unseat Mayor J. “Chaka” Santos after one two-year term in office. With three precincts reporting, Dhaliwal, 52 – a Lathrop council member since 2006 and a former planning commissioner – was […]

Categories: Politics • Tags: 2012 elections, California, Lathrop, Sunny Dhaliwal

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Monthly Archives: November 2012

Immy Kaur: Bandi Chhorh Divas as a reminder of freedom

Reflecting on Bandi Chhorh Divas as a personal challenge

Violence erupts at Yuba City, CA, Gurdwara

Sikh mayor of Charlottesville, VA, calls for prayers to celebrate religious freedom

75,000 people attend Yuba City, CA, Nagar Kirtan

First phase of Sikh Institute in Fresno, CA, nears completion

Sikh Awareness Month being celebrated across California

US DoJ investigating CA Department of Corrections over beard ban

City of Lathrop, CA, elects Sikh American for mayor