Rupinder Mohan Singh |

A graphic by the National Sikh Youth Federation in the United Kingdom describes the initiating events during the Indian government's attack on Darbar Sahib (aka the Golden Temple) in June 1984, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths. (Source: NSYF)

Remembering June, 1984

June 3, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The year 1984 is forever etched into the Sikh psyche after it was added to the long list of atrocities against the Sikh people by rulers of their land. During the first week of June of that year, the Indian Government launched “Operation Blue Star“, an attack on the center of the Sikh faith in Amritsar, India, and invasions of numerous other Gurdwaras (Sikh houses of worship) across Punjab and India, under the pretext of neutralizing militants that had taken […]

Categories: 1984 • Tags: Amritsar, Darbar Sahib, Golden Temple, Gunisha Kaur, Guru Arjan, Guru Arjun, India, Indian Army, National Sikh Youth Federation, NSYF, Operation Blue Star, Punjab, Simran Jeet Singh

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"Waris Ahluwalia, 2011. Photo by Norman Jean Roy." (Source: Flavorwire)

Your weekend Waris, part II

May 31, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Another weekend is upon us, and New York actor/designer Waris Ahluwalia presents himself (via @Kaurista) just in time: Through Sunday, August 18, 2013, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum in Providence, Rhode Island, is hosting a photo exhibition about the “dandy” fashion trend called Artist/Rebel/Dandy, which features Waris Ahluwalia: Rather than following strict definitions, Artist/Rebel/Dandy features myriad manifestations of the dandy’s style and persona, from the discreet sophistication and consummate elegance of Beau Brummell (1778–1840) to the romantics and […]

Categories: Art, Events, Profiles • Tags: Artist/Rebel/Dandy, Fashion, Providence, Rhode Island, Rhode Island School of Design Museum, Waris Ahluwalia

A fascinating map of the world’s most and least racially tolerant countries

The bigotry over there

May 31, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

A YouTube video posted by a Japanese high school teacher (nod to Karaminder for the link) describes the revelation that his students did not recognize racist attitudes within their own country or society, thinking of it as an “American” problem: I was surprised to find out that almost all of my high school students (about 1000 students) were not aware of the racism and discrimination that goes on in Japan. Racism and discrimination in Japan does exist, however, it is […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Reflections, Reports/Studies • Tags: caste system, Japan, Martin Luther King, Racism, United States

Harneet Gulati (middle) with New York State Senator Jack Martins (right). (Photo source: NY Senator Jack Martins website)

Hicksville, NY, teen awarded NY Youth of the Year

May 31, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Harneet Gulati, a Sikh teen from Hicksville, New York, was recently honored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America as New York State Youth of the Year. She was congratulated by New York State Senator Jack Martins: “Harneet is a shining example of the leadership our young people show in giving of their time and talents to improve the lives of others. Her perseverance and the encourage of the Hicksville Boys and Girls Club says a lot of our community. […]

Categories: Profiles • Tags: Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Harneet Gulati, Hicksville, Jack Martins, New York

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The Caretaker -- a novel by A.X. Ahmad. (Photo source: Target)

A.X. Ahmad’s “The Caretaker”

May 31, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

On the blog Colorlines, Rinku Sen interviews writer A.X. Ahmad whose recently published fictional novel The Caretaker is set in Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and features a Sikh protagonist named Ranjit Singh, “an undocumented Sikh immigrant struggling to make a life for himself, his wife and his daughter on Martha’s Vineyard, the summer get-away island for a good number of the country’s wealthy families, including the black elite.” In the interview, A.X. Ahmad discusses various aspects of the book, including the […]

Categories: Literature • Tags: A.X. Ahmad, Amardeep Singh, Colorlines, fiction, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, New York Times, novel, The Aerogram, The Caretaker, thriller

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Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi (Photo source: Sikh Coalition)

Picture of the Day: Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi

May 30, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Tomorrow, Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, one of the few Sikh Americans who has received an exemption to serve in the US military with his articles of faith intact, will be testifying in support of allowing Sikhs to serve in the US military without requiring a special exception to grooming requirements. From the Sikh Coalition: This Friday, May 31, at 1:30 EST, Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, a Bronze Star Medal recipient, will testify before the United States Commission on Civil Rights […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Picture of the Day • Tags: Bronze Star Medal, Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, Sikh Coalition, United States Commission on Civil Rights, US Army, US military

Punjab Singh was severely wounded during the mass shooting at a Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, last August. He has been in a long-term care facility ever since. Six other Sikhs were killed and one police officer was also severely wounded. (Photo source: Sikh Coalition)

“I have never been in the presence of someone so holy in all of my life.”

May 30, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Holly Sennett, a speech-language pathologist, writes about her patient Punjab Singh, who was severely wounded during the mass shooting at a Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, last August. He has been in a long-term care facility ever since: Punjab Singh traveled all over the world to share spiritual truths. He has taught about the oneness of all of life and the need to love and forgive. He was a visiting congregational leader on this August 5th day at the Oak […]

Categories: Hate Crimes, Profiles, Reflections • Tags: Holly Sennett, Oak Creek, Punjab Singh, Sikh Coalition, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

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Attacker of Fresno, CA, Sikh senior charged with hate crime

May 30, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Gilbert Garcia, who is accused of brutally attacking 82-year-old Piara Singh on May 5 as he walked home from a Gurdwara in Fresno, California, has now been also charged with a hate crime. Garcia was initially charged with attempted murder and elderly abuse as well, for which he has pleaded not guilty. Interestingly, shortly after the assault, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer strongly suggested that the attack on Piara Singh was a hate crime, and it was reported that Garcia […]

Categories: Hate Crimes • Tags: California, Fresno, Gilbert Garcia, hate crimes, Piara Singh

"Members of the Sikh faith community [in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma] walk outside their new gurdwara after a grand opening service and celebration May 19 at the new house of worship, 4525 NW 16." (Photo credit: Carla Hinton | The Oklahoman)

New Gurdwaras in Oklahoma and Arkansas

May 29, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Sikh communities in the southern United States are celebrating new Gurdwaras (Sikh houses of worship) for their sangats (congregations). In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the sangat celebrated the grand opening of their new 5,000 square foot Gurdwara, accommodating their growing population: Sarbjit “Sabi” Singh, one of the Sikh congregation’s members, said the community started in 1983 with 10 families, representing about 35 people. He said the congregation has now grown to between 150 and 200 people. The building previously used for […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Arkansas, Gurdwara, Little Rock, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Rogers

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Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Author Archives: Rupinder Mohan Singh

Remembering June, 1984

Your weekend Waris, part II

The bigotry over there

Hicksville, NY, teen awarded NY Youth of the Year

A.X. Ahmad’s “The Caretaker”

Picture of the Day: Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi

“I have never been in the presence of someone so holy in all of my life.”

Attacker of Fresno, CA, Sikh senior charged with hate crime

New Gurdwaras in Oklahoma and Arkansas