News Bits | | Page 4

UC Santa Cruz instructor Nirvikar Singh, left, speaks to Hannah Elston, center, Kevin Deutsch, second from right, and Virginia Perez, right, during lunch at the Sikh Gurdwara in San Jose. (David Butow, For The Times / October 21, 2012)

Sikh academics in California’s universities

November 21, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times looks at the growth of academic Sikh studies programs, including the Sikh and Punjabi Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in the broader context of efforts to raise awareness about the Sikh American community: For Nirvikar Singh, leading Santa Cruz’s program has been an act of seva, or selfless service expected by the Sikh faith. “I felt I really could not pass this up,” said Singh, a professor of […]

Categories: Civil Rights, News Bits • Tags: California, Los Angeles Times, Nirvikar Singh, Santa Cruz, Sikh and Punjabi Studies, University of California

Second man arrested in Yuba City, CA, Gurdwara riot

November 20, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

After the violence ten days ago at a Gurdwara in Yuba City, California, in which a director of the Gurdwara was arrested, Sutter County police have announced that a second man has been arrested : Parminder Kooner, 47, turned himself in to the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department for having stabbed Ajaib Malhi, 30, in the back during the fight. Kooner will be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, according to Capt. Lewis McElfresh. Reports indicate that up to 100 […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: American Red Cross, California, Gurdwara conflict, Mangal Singh Sanghera, Parminder Kooner, Yuba City

Abhay and Amanat Singh honored for role in Oak Creek Sikh temple massacre (source: TMJ)

Sikh children honored for heroic act during Oak Creek, WI shooting

November 16, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Two children who were present during August’s shooting attack on the Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Gurdwara were honored yesterday by the Yell and Tell Foundation for their efforts in alerting people in the Gurdwara: Abhay Singh and his sister Amanat did the right thing when gunman Wade Page showed up at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek and started shooting. The kids ran inside to tell adults about the dangerous situation. Their father, Benny Singh, thought divine intervention played a role […]

Categories: Hate Crimes, News Bits • Tags: Abhay Singh, Amanat Singh, Benny Singh, hate crimes, Oak Creek, shootings, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, Yell and Tell Foundation

Director arrested after violence at Yuba City, CA, Gurdwara

November 15, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

After last weekend’s violence at a Gurdwara in Yuba City, California, Sutter County Police have arrested a director of the Gurdwara who is accused of stabbing another individual during the brawl: Mangal Singh Sanghera of Yuba City was booked into the Sutter County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Sanghera is being held without bail on a probation violation, Sheriff J. Paul Parker said in a press release. “The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: California, Gurdwara, Gurdwara conflict, Mangal Singh Sanghera, Sutter County, Yuba City

Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy and Officer Sam Lenda recall the shooting at the Oak Creak, Wisconsin, Gurdwara in August (source: CBS News)

Oak Creek, WI, officers recall day of shooting

November 14, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

On the CBS Evening News, Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy and Officer Sam Lenda describe the events during the shooting rampage at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in August. Lt. Murphy offers several reflections, including about the shooter who took his own life: “He’s dead. He’s nothin’. The people who remain, the people who carry on, that’s what’s important,” he said. View the video and read more at CBS News.

Categories: Hate Crimes, News Bits • Tags: CBS Evening News, hate crimes, Lt. Brian Murphy, Oak Creek, Officer Sam Lenda, shootings, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

"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

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Category Archives: News Bits

Sikh academics in California’s universities

Second man arrested in Yuba City, CA, Gurdwara riot

Sikh children honored for heroic act during Oak Creek, WI shooting

Director arrested after violence at Yuba City, CA, Gurdwara

Oak Creek, WI, officers recall day of shooting

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