Sikhs PAC chairman Gurinder Singh Khalsa with Indiana Attorney General candidate Curtis Hill
Donald Trump Campaign Flyer mis-identifying Sikh as Muslim: A blessing in disguise, says Gurinder Singh Khalsa
INDIANAPOLIS, OCT 24, 2016 :
Let us spread the message of equality, generosity and inclusiveness. Let us embrace fellow beings.. Almighty bliss!!! These words were by Sikhs Political Action Committee chairman Gurinder Singh Khalsa while thanking everyone who attended Sikhs PAC's Town hall and Fundraising meeting in India Palace here on Sunday night.
He also specially thanked Indiana Attorney General candidate Curtis Hill and Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz for meeting with members of the Sikh community. Amanjodh Singh Chahal came from California to attend and learn more about Sikhs PAC.
"By saying let you know loud and clear someone is ignorant we are judging the same way they are doing. We do not want to be judged by our appearance and we judged them that they are ignorant or some other words. It means we are judging them. We are no different from them," said Gurinder Singh Khalsa.
He said that "I am an American Sikh first. I am American by choice. Faith is my personal matter."
It was his reaction the way his photo appeared on the Donald Trump Campaign Flyer mis-identifying him as Muslim. One TV channel described it "Man caught in Political Spin."
On Facebook, Gurunder Singh Khalsa, a product of Minerva Academy of Kharar, Punjab, wrote "Shocking for me... Trump's campaign is showing my picture as Muslim and supporting Trump. I am a Sikh and I do not support Trump, who is a candidate for President of the USA. Trump Campaign is using my picture without having my permission ever. I am not against Muslims but this is disturbing. That is why we started Sikhs PAC to overcome the confusion of Sikhs and Muslims. Since 9/11 Sikhs have been the most targeted community for sectarian violence and hate crime."
Addressing the gathering in India Palace here, Gurinder Singh Khalsa said "In one way it was a blessing in disguise. We got the opportunity to tell the world that we are Sikhs. We are not against Muslims but since 9/11 we have been the most targeted community for sectarian violence and hate crime in USA. This Trump Campaign flyer has created more confusion of distinct and unique identity of Sikhs. Sikhs are in America for over 100 years . Sikh faith originated from India over 500 years ago."
The print and electronic media in USA and abroad had carried the news of Gurinder Khalsa being identfied as Muslim. It would have cost millions of dollars . Still the desired results would not be assured.
As the news spread, Gurinder Singh Khalsa was flooded with messages, phone calls and comments on Facebook. "One of the campaign managers of the Donald Trump apologized for the mistake," said Gurinder Singh Khalsa.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz announced that Sikh Religion, Sikh history and Punjabi language will be introduced in Indiana public schools effective immediately. Indiana is the second state after California to do so. It is an historic moment for American Sikhs.
Sikhs PAC is a non-partisan political action committee devoting to Sikhs and Sikh-minded candidates for local, state and national office, according to press release.The group has already obtained $500,000 in commitments from Indiana's Sikh community towards the 2016 elections. $5,000,000 in additional commitments are expected by the next election cycle.
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Photos: 301 Gurinder Singh Khalsa speaking at the Sikhs PAC's Town hall and Fundraising meeting in Indianapolis.
168: Sikhs PAC chairman Gurinder Singh Khalsa with Indiana Attorney General candidate Curtis Hill.
308: Indiana Attorney General candidate Curtis Hill talking to the Sikh Community members at the SikhsPAC's Town hall and Fundraising meeting in Indianapolis.