10/15/2024
ਹਿੰਦੂ ਅਮਰੀਕਨ ਫਾਉਂਡੇਸ਼ਨ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਗੁਰਦੂਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ, ਖਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਅਮਰੀਕਨ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਸ਼ਨ ਕੋਲ ਤਕਰੀਬਨ ਇੱਕ ਸਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਝੂਠਾ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਅਰੰਭਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਸੀ ਜਿਸਦਾ ਪਰਦਾਫਾਸ ਸੈਕਰਾਮੈਂਟੋ ਬੀ ਅਖਬਾਰ ਨੇ ਪਿੱਛਲੇ ਦਿਨੀ ਕੀਤਾ। ਇਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਕੂੜ ਨੀਤੀ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਹੀ ਭੁਗਤ ਗਈ। ਹੇਠ ਲਿਖੀ ਪਟੀਸ਼ਨ ਗੁਰਦੂਆਰਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਦਸਤਖ਼ਤ ਕਰਕੇ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਦੇ ਵੱਖ ਵੱਖ ਡਿਪਾਰਟਮੈਂਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੇਜੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ। ਹੇਠਲੀਆਂ ਤਸਵੀਰਾਂ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਭਾ ਮਿਲਪੀਟਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ।
Petition to Protect American Fundamental Rights from India’s Transnational Repression via the Hindu American Foundation and CoHNA
To: California State and County Government Officials, Law Enforcement Agencies, City Officials, California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
We, the undersigned Americans and our allies, are gravely concerned about India’s transnational repression tactics. These actions target U.S. citizens, including peaceful activists, through misinformation and interference. Organizations like the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) are complicit in spreading false narratives that marginalize specific communities. This is an assault on American fundamental rights and it must stop.
We call on you to act swiftly to protect U.S. citizens from foreign interference and to ensure that misinformation does not undermine our democracy.
Immediate Threats
1. Targeting of Sikh Gurdwaras:
India’s transnational repression tactics have taken aim at Sikh Gurdwaras, including the Stockton and Fremont Gurdwaras, through threats and false accusations of illegal activities. Investigative Reporting by Sacramento Bee’s Joe Rubin highlights how these accusations, promoted by HAF and CoHNA, are part of a larger strategy to discredit Sikh Americans, silence their advocacy, and attack their religious freedoms—freedoms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
2. Weaponizing Labels to Silence Activism:
India’s repression efforts have weaponized labels like "extremism" and "terrorism" to unjustly target peaceful American activists advocating for a Free Punjab and an independent Khalistan. This deliberate mischaracterization aims to silence political dissent and erode the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens to freely express their views.
3. Biased Law Enforcement Training:
India’s influence has seeped into U.S. law enforcement, where biased training sessions have been held, portraying Sikh Americans and their advocacy as security threats. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen facilitated some of these sessions, raising questions about the impartiality of law enforcement. We must ensure that U.S. law enforcement remains neutral and free from foreign influence.
4. India’s Interference on U.S. Soil:
The FBI has warned Sikh-American activists that they are being targeted by Indian agents. The Gupta indictment filed in the Southern District of New York details an assassination attempt on American citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, exemplifying India’s interference. These acts violate the basic rights of U.S. citizens and threaten America’s sovereignty.
Threats to Our Safety and Freedom
● Assassination Attempts on U.S. Soil:
India’s efforts to silence dissent have resulted in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian activist, on Canadian soil, and the attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American activist, on American soil." These are not isolated incidents—they are an attack on the American right to free speech and political expression.
● Surveillance and Intimidation of U.S. Citizens:
Sikh Americans have faced surveillance, intimidation, and harassment by Indian agents in California, with some impersonating FBI agents. This is India’s transnational repression at work, infringing on the rights of American citizens.
● Attacks on Religious Freedom:
Threats and false accusations against Sikh Gurdwaras, such as Stockton and Fremont, threaten religious freedoms. Spearheaded by HAF and CoHNA, these accusations violate the First Amendment rights of all Americans to freely practice their religion.
● Harassment and Online Targeting:
Sikh-American activists and organizations are being silenced by coordinated online harassment, doxing, and disinformation. These are tactics of India’s broader transnational repression strategy.
● Suppression of Free Speech:
Efforts to label peaceful activism as extremism or terrorism attack the First Amendment rights of all Americans. Free speech, especially in political advocacy, must be protected from foreign interference.
● Historical Trauma and Renewed Fear:
India’s repression tactics, especially the targeting of Sikh activists, mirror the violence of the past. As we mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 genocide against Sikhs, these actions revive deep trauma and endanger the safety and security of Americans.
Our Requests
1. Investigate Biased Law Enforcement Training:
We demand an investigation into the biased training provided to law enforcement regarding the Sikh community and the Khalistan movement. Training must be factual, neutral, and free from foreign influence.
2. Protect Freedom of Expression from Transnational Repression:
Reaffirm the right of all Americans, including Sikh Americans, to express their political views without fear of surveillance or being labeled as extremists. These are fundamental rights that must be protected from foreign interference.
3. Condemn and Counter Misinformation Campaigns:
Publicly condemn and counter the false narratives promoted by HAF and CoHNA, which unfairly target Sikh Americans. We call on District Attorney Jeff Rosen to denounce these harmful actions and work with the Sikh community to ensure accurate information is shared.
4. Support Anti-TNR Legislation:
Support legislation like AB 3027 to combat transnational repression and protect U.S. citizens from foreign governments. This is essential to ensure American activists are free from the reach of oppressive foreign regimes like India.
Our Commitment
"We, the undersigned, are united in defending American fundamental rights and opposing India’s transnational repression. While the Sikh community is a direct target of these actions, the impact is felt by all Americans. We call on government officials to protect the constitutional rights of every citizen and ensure that foreign governments like India cannot operate with impunity on U.S. soil. Together, we stand for justice, freedom, and the protection of our rights as Americans.
