Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has strongly objected to a US Department of Homeland Security poster that allegedly targeted Punjabi and Sikh identity.
Dhami has written to the US Embassy in New Delhi, expressing concern over the use of “Mr Singh” in the poster. He has also urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take up the matter with the US government through diplomatic channels.
Dhami said Punjabis had made significant contributions to the development and economic progress of the US through their hard work, honesty and skills. He said Sikhs and Punjabis had contributed across sectors, including truck driving, and continued to serve American society.
He said specifically referring to “Mr Singh” in the DHS poster and associating the name with the campaign reflected what he described as racial and community-based bias against Punjabis and Sikhs.
The SGPC chief said targeting any community on the basis of its religious identity, name or attire was contrary to the values of a civilised society. He added that language that could intimidate or demean immigrant communities did not fit with America’s multicultural identity.
Dhami said the Sikh community was known worldwide for its hard work and service to humanity. He argued that an issue involving an individual’s driving or alleged offence should not be generalised to the wider Punjabi or Sikh community.
He also warned that such portrayals could harm social harmony and relations between different communities.
Dhami appealed to Jaishankar to raise what he described as discriminatory and hateful treatment of the Sikh community with the US government.
