Holding Members of Congress Accountable on Sikh Issues
Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that a bipartisan group of 105 Members of Congress sent a letter urging the Department of Defense to end a presumptive ban on devout Sikhs who want to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.  Over the past several years, civil rights group, The Sikh Coalition, has been working to address the issue of equal opportunity in the Armed Forces allowing all Sikhs to serve.  Since 2009, three Sikh Coalition clients—Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, and Corporal Simran Preet Singh Lamba—have received rare and historic accommodations to serve in the U.S. Army with their articles of faith intact.  A timeline of the efforts can be found here.
The Members wrote:
Dear Secretary Hagel,
We respectfully request that the United States Armed Forces modernize their appearance regulations so that patriotic Sikh Americans can serve the country they love while abiding by their articles of faith.
Devout Sikhs have served in the U.S. Army since World War I, and they are presumptively permitted to serve in the armed forces of Canada, India and the United Kingdom, among others. Notably, the current Chief of Staff of the Indian Army is a turbaned and bearded Sikh, even though Sikhs constitute less than two percent of India’s population. Throughout the world, and now in the U.S. Army, Sikh soldiers are clearly able to maintain their religious commitments while serving capably and honorably.
After hearing from their constituents, many Members of Congress who represent large constituencies of Sikhs signed onto this letter representing the importance and value of political engagement. Â Unfortunately, there were also Members of Congress – some who represent Sikh constituents, who fund-raise within the Sikh community and even sit on the American Sikh Congressional Caucus who did not sign this letter. Â This includes my own Member of Congress, Devin Nunes who “represents” (or that’s what we thought) a large constituency of Sikhs in the Central Valley of California. Â Other missing signatories include Congressman LaMalfa and McClintock – who, in the past, have reached out to the Sikh community for support.
It isn’t enough to simply invite Members to our Gurdwaras and offer them saropay. Â We have to hold our Members of Congress accountable once they leave our Gurdwaras and are challenged to support our issues on the Hill. Â Our presence and political engagement will only make a difference when we continue to take a leadership role to address inequity in our society and establish a strong voice on behalf of the Sikh community.
18 Responses to “Holding Members of Congress Accountable on Sikh Issues”
The focus by groups like the Sikh Coalition on military personnel regulations without acknowledging what the U.S. military actually does is to miss a burning forest for a tree. The U.S. military is not some neutral organization like a metropolitan transit authority, but rather it has been the perpetrator of untold suffering and destabilization the world over for decades.
As Sikhs we have an injunction to fight tyranny, oppression, and injustice wherever we find it. Sikhs should be following their moral conscience and opposing America's unjust and illegal wars around the world, not fighting to be first in line in participating in them.
This is not a Sikh issue. It is an issue for *some* Sikhs who wish to serve in the American military industrial complex which loots the public treasury and diverts funds from education, infrastructure, and social services. It is an issue for some Sikhs who are happy to participate in a rampant kind of patriarchy where women can be sexually assaulted with impunity. It is an issue for some Sikhs who would happily force feed illegally detained prisoners who are on hunger strikes against Geneva code conventions. It is an issue for some Sikhs who are happy to be ordered to blow up Muslim bodies up because their new sovereign (their army commander, rather than the Guru) tells them to. It is an issue for some Sikhs who are happy to pledge their allegiance to the geopolitical interests of the United States, rather than to ask Waheguru for sarbat da bhalla.
Justice for Shergill? Oops! Lets leave that to the 'community' organizations. Can't be bothered to speak truth to power now, can we?
nice information thanks
Since it has become a common practice for the students to make the use of computers and similar devices excessively in the education system, it is the responsibility of the educators to guide and teach the students about the effective ways of its usage so it may not become harmful.
The political system of the country mostly depends on quality of personnel who have got higher education. Who show love and dedication towards their country. Who run the affairs of state with par excellence
I�m impressed, I must say. Truly rarely should i encounter a blog that�s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail within the head. Your thought is outstanding; the pain is a thing that inadequate individuals are speaking intelligently about. We are very happy we stumbled across this at my search for something with this.
Women should consider every option to pick suited and dazzling formal clothes Winnipeg for your occasions they’re gonna. All issues considered, your target is to look wonderful, draw a number of appreciating seems to be and leave a special impact in others.
You could possibly love your companion beyond words and phrases but after a while sex turns into routine. Tips on how to jumpstart your current relation? Have an overabundance of fun while having sex and deepen your current sensuality using some person costumes pertaining to role participating in.
Weddings include the most awaited day for virtually any bride. But with the fun along with frolic there are many of stress and anxiety and stress involved in the wedding. This is true to the bride very little. She has many things in head regarding her wedding.
Partnership and adult novelties should necessarily be part of each various other. Don’t always be reluctant to acquire some scorching accessories for ones bedroom. A survey shows that 63% adult men have mentioned that his or her sex lifestyle has increased after introducing adult novelties.
Not simply parties, cultural characteristics or some other events, even in marriage ceremony lehegas is usually a great selection for bridesmaid dress and also sarees. Today, It is the commonest and classic outfit for females like saree can be.
Among the primary objectives from the Mid-day Dinner Scheme was to enhance the dietary status associated with children in the united kingdom, and the actual scheme offers definitely lived as much as its anticipation.
Wish to know how to consume healthy? Most people do not know how they're slowly carrying out suicide using what they consume. Here is actually my Simpleton proof manual to consuming healthy…
You might have heard which 'going organic' is really a healthy choice for that farmers, environmental surroundings, and your personal health. But you may not understand the reason why it's this type of positive option? This post series explores the advantages of choosing natural.
After reading the great post I never saw such a splendid website with matchless content. i want to get more updates so keep updating. Check it for best services.
Your article has provoked a ton of positive hobby. I can see why since you have made such a decent showing of making it intriguing
??? ????? ???? ????????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ??????? https://www.anti-insects.com
know about best crypto coin list in which you can make 100X by just only some months.