Another Unresolved Hate Crime Against the Sikh Community

Dated: November 8, 2022

Bronx, New York

Like so many people who come to the City of New York, Mr. Balwinder Singh and his family came looking for opportunities.  

Like so many immigrants, they find a City that is both inviting and hostile.  But for Sikhs, the City is hostile and increasingly more and more dangerous and at times deadly.  

Balwinder was in his car on August 23, 2022 when a truck pulled up and a man got out yelling “Bin Laden.”  He struck Balwinder in the face, breaking his jaw, stole his property and fled in the truck.  The police arrived, Balwinder was taken to the hospital where he had multiple surgeries to his face and jaw. 

His family is now left with the debt, burdens and the terrifying memory of this gruesome attack on Balwinder.  

Meanwhile, legislation is passed to address the issue but the community continues to experience these incidents at higher rates.  “Then, everything goes on as if nothing had happened- as if this were normal,” states Gurpreet Singh,   UNITED SIKHS’ Executive Director.  “It’s as if these attacks on members of the Sikh community were not occurring on an almost daily basis somewhere in this City.  As if it were not a societal malady that infects everything else.”

But what of the data civil rights activists called for from Congress and the State Legislatures?  Is it helping to get a better picture of where attacks are more likely to occur?  Is it helping to identify possible suspects?  

“These are all good questions?  Where do we find answers,” asks Gurpreet Singh.  “Who will be held responsible for Balwinder’s medical bills and give closure to his family?”  Who is ensuring that the data is used to protect a community that fears they have been left alone to shoulder this burden that is rightfully a society’s burden to bear? 

We called on the City of New York leadership for answers.  “We hope to meet with the Mayor’s Office Of Immigrant Affairs and with the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit to find solutions for Balwinder and Sikhs,” states Gurpreet Singh, `

JUSTICE FOR BALWINDER SINGH!

We advocate furiously with your help and support!

Manvinder Singh
Director of Advocacy
​International Civil & Human Rights Advocacy – ICHRA

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