A marginalised Sikh group, which in the past had known supporters of Khalistan, have once again gained access to the powerful corridors of the Capitol Hill, raising concerns for India - this time piggybacking on the issue of hate crime that the community is facing in the US.
When more than two dozen lawmakers announced formation of the first-ever Sikh American Congressional Caucus last week at the Capitol Hill, it was the presence of quite a number of individuals and representatives of organisations, who in the past have openly supported Khalistan, raised eye brows among the friends of India in Washington.
‘Sikhs who were present in the Sikh Congressional Caucus event in Washington were of the ideology of pro-Khalistan,’ said Dalwinder Singh Dhoot, chairman of California-based North America Punjabi Association (NAPA) said in a statement.
A number of eminent Sikh American organisations including NAPA were not invited either to the announcement ceremony on 24 April or at the reception held at the Capitol Hill.
‘Neither we had any information about this Sikh Congressional Caucus nor were we invited to attend the event,’ he added.
When more than two dozen lawmakers announced formation of the first-ever Sikh American Congressional Caucus last week at the Capitol Hill, it was the presence of quite a number of individuals and representatives of organisations, who in the past have openly supported Khalistan, raised eye brows among the friends of India in Washington.
‘Sikhs who were present in the Sikh Congressional Caucus event in Washington were of the ideology of pro-Khalistan,’ said Dalwinder Singh Dhoot, chairman of California-based North America Punjabi Association (NAPA) said in a statement.
A number of eminent Sikh American organisations including NAPA were not invited either to the announcement ceremony on 24 April or at the reception held at the Capitol Hill.
‘Neither we had any information about this Sikh Congressional Caucus nor were we invited to attend the event,’ he added.