The Sikh Coalition

REPOST: Cornell Sikh Student Association presents Harman Singh from The Sikh Coalition this Friday (10/19) from 5-6 PM in Ives 109!

You can find directions to Ives Hall here ➝ bit.ly/4n9KTBv

“It's important to find opportunities to present our community not just as victims, but as a people that have a great sense of civic duty & have a lot to contribute to this society!"

Hear insights from @angadgsingh.bsky.social , during our Reporter webinar w/ @rns.org & Religion News Association.

SB 509 Veto: When Bad-Faith Opposition Trumps Civil Rights "HAF’s deep bad-faith opposition to any serious effort to address transnational repression runs well beyond SB 509."

"SB 509’s defeat, is not a reflection of the bill. It is the direct result of a deeply dishonest & cynical campaign waged by a small but vocal minority led by the Hindu American Foundation."

Read this OP-ED by our ED about the lack of integrity displayed by bad faith actors. bit.ly/4hjoIYA

Read our full reflection on the SB 509 veto—in English or Punjabi—on today's blog post ➝ thesikh.co/sb509-veto

To be clear: This is not the end of our advocacy work on Indian transnational repression.

WATCH: “While the bill may not have passed, our Sangat’s strength is undeniable."

Our Senior State Policy Manager discusses today’s veto of SB 509 by California governor Gavin Newsom, and the Sikh Coalitions next steps to combat transnational repression 🙏🏾

We will continue to insist that everyone has the right to practice their faith and express their views without the threat of violence or intimidation from foreign governments, their agents, and their proxies.

Even in the face of a lack of political courage and bad faith opposition, we will not stop fighting against the danger of transnational repression, whether by legislation like SB 509 or other forms of proactive government engagement at the local, state, and federal levels.

Many such voices have justified transnational repression, claimed it doesn't exist, or otherwise belittled the threats and violence our community has experienced.

At the same time, Sikhs continue to face disinformation and coordinated targeting from the government of India.

Finally, the loud minority of voices who fear-mongered and lied about SB 509 and its diverse coalition of supporters should be ashamed of their conduct and messaging—especially in the past several days.

For these reasons, we also remain deeply grateful to the bill’s sponsors—Sen. Caballero, Asm. Dr. Bains, and Asm. Soria—and the wide range of groups who supported it through the legislative process.

The bill may not have passed, but our sangat’s strength is undeniable. You filled the Capitol, mobilized gurdwarae, and made yourselves heard.

As we look to learn about, support, and strengthen this training, it is clear that it would not have been created without your voices.

On October 1, the Sikh Coalition was honored to join the Religion News Association and Religion News Service to host a webinar about reporting on Sikhs and Sikhi.

Watch this brief clip to hear some insights from our panelist, Emmy Nominated Reporter, Joti Kaur Rekhi.

REPOSTED from Interfaith Center NY: Calling all #NYC #faith #leaders working to make a difference!

Be the change you want to see in #NewYork. Apply to join the next Leadership Academy – apps due 10/24. Stipends for participants and grants for projects.

Info and app at interfaithcenter.org/icla.

READ: Additional strong reporting from @fresnoland.bsky.social as the diverse coalition of groups who have supported SB 509, a bill to combat transnational repression, await Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social vinNewsom signature on the bill.

Read the full article here ➝ bit.ly/3KHXZso

The Sikh Coalition’s legal team will join sangat members at Sikh Institute of Fresno on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to share important know-your-rights information including as immigration rights, employment rights, and truckers’ rights.

At The Sikh Coalition, we’re proud to stand with Act To Change and youth across the country in the fight against bullying & hate!

By supporting ACTober, we’re helping amplify youth voices & building a future rooted in inclusion and belonging.

👉 Join us: actober.acttochange.org

Our State Policy Manager, Gurvir Singh Sidhu, recently attended the Mayoral Interfaith Justice Compact meeting. He is pictured here with the Executive Director of @hfhr.bsky.social, Sunita Viswanath.

Faith leaders convened to discuss policy priority areas.

Happening TODAY at 4pm PST/7pm EST!

We will learn about the significant contributions to the industry, challenges faced, and key beliefs of Sikhism that can impact the experiences of Sikh American truckers.

Register now ➝ bit.ly/4pR135r

Last month, we held our kickoff meeting with the recipients of our first-ever Sikh Student Association Sangat-Seva Grant Program! This program deepens our collaboration with student-led organizations and strengthens our shared mission of advancing Sikh representation and voice.

"No more beardos": Hegseth's comments stir religious, medical concerns In some religions, a beard is more than facial hair — it's a critical part of one's faith.

In the meantime, we continue to understand what the new guidance means for our current and former clients. Read our initial reaction from last week here: www.axios.com/2025/10/02/h...

The Sikh Coalition is deeply appreciative of the caucuses' call for the Department of Defense to clarify the memorandum and ensure that religious accommodations for Sikh, Jewish, Muslim, and other servicemembers are upheld.

Today @CAPAC, the Jewish Caucus and @TheBlackCaucus issued a joint statement regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s comments regarding grooming standards within the U.S. military. capac.house.gov/press-releas...

Our Legal Case Manager Deepali Gill shares information about our upcoming Trucker "Know Your Rights" Presentation, which will be held by members of our legal team at the Sikh Institute of Fresno on October 12 at 1 PM.

A team of lawyers will conduct this information session from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in Room 2 as well as be available to answer questions before and after the session. For more information, contact legal@sikhcoalition.org.

The Sikh Coalition’s legal team will join sangat members at Sikh Institute of Fresno on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to share important know-your-rights information including as immigration rights, employment rights, and truckers’ rights.

The Sikh Coalition’s legal team will join sangat members at Sikh Institute of Fresno on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to share important know-your-rights information including as immigration rights, employment rights, and truckers’ rights .

SCENE: A group picture taken last month after our successful. Capitol Hill Briefing, “Revisiting Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra’s Work in an Era of Transnational Repression.” Thank you to everyone who attended!

"My own family came to the US nearly 3 decades ago to escape political repression in Iran.

Today, I work with immigrant communities across California. This includes individuals who fled persecution & remain concerned about threats to their own safety." bit.ly/3KsLNf7

READ: "Sikh service in the American military spans back a century, according to the Sikh Coalition, which has spent well over a decade fighting for Sikh members of the armed forces."

Full article here → bit.ly/4nUSXH6

“We have Sikh service members serving right now in artillery, in infantry, in Special Operations, deployed around the world, away from their families,” Sukhbir Toor said.

To hear the secretary refer to us as beardos — to me, it’s appalling.” bit.ly/42rgEie