New York, Sep 5 (AP) - A tragic accident involving Harjinder Singh, an India-born Sikh truck driver, has ignited national debates over immigration and resulted in an increase in anti-Sikh sentiment.
On August 12, Singh executed a U-turn on the Florida Turnpike that led to a crash, claiming the lives of three individuals. This incident has sparked arguments between Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The aftermath has seen a surge of online hate targeting members of the Sikh community, often employed in trucking jobs that accommodate their religious traditions of maintaining beards, uncut hair, and turbans.
“There are a lot of negative comments online,” noted Prahb Singh, a truck driver based in Riverside, California, who shares a common last name with the driver but has no familial ties. Statements like “Take the towel heads off the streets” and “Make our roads safe by taking immigrants off the street” have proliferated. Prahb Singh, who came to the US at age 8, emphasizes that this reflects the actions of one driver, not the community.
With an estimated Sikh population in the US reaching up to 750,000, primarily concentrated in California, the community heavily contributes to the trucking industry. Sukhpreet Waraich, owner of an interstate freight carrier in Fontana, California, shared that his peers feel differently perceived post-accident, fearing unjust targeting. Eager for fairness, Waraich stressed the crash is an anomaly in his otherwise spotless driving record since 2019.
The North American Punjabi Truckers Association estimates that 40% of the West Coast's trucking workforce comprises Sikhs, nearing 20% nationwide, with advocacy groups suggesting around 150,000 Sikh truck drivers are active in the U.S. Recent reports indicate instances of harassment, such as a Sikh man being expelled from an Oklahoma truck stop while attempting to shower.
In Florida, Harjinder Singh faces charges of manslaughter and vehicular homicide and is being held without bond. Discrepancies exist regarding his immigration status, with Florida authorities pointing to a 2018 illegal entry from Mexico, whereas California officials claim he held a valid work permit when issued a driver's license. The Trump administration argued against Singh's commercial driver's license due to immigration status concerns and an alleged failure in English proficiency. Yet, New Mexico officials provided video evidence showing Singh conversing in English with a traffic officer.
Amid political scrutiny, with Governor DeSantis labeling Singh a "thug," concern rises among the Sikh community about being scapegoated in ongoing immigration debates. Harsimran Singh, CEO of Gillson Trucking in Stockton, California, noted increased fear among his drivers, with several quitting due to safety concerns. The UNITED SIKHS advocacy group has actively supported the community, organizing gatherings for crash victims while condemning anti-Sikh discrimination.
Sikhism, founded over 500 years ago in India's Punjab, boasts around 25 million followers globally. Despite historical discrimination faced in the US, exacerbated post-9/11, Sikh Americans praise the trucking industry for offering opportunities to practice their faith freely. Manpreet Kaur of the Sikh Coalition highlighted the trucking sector's significance, providing financial stability and preserving religious liberties within the community.
Recent incidents have incited fear of escalating violence amidst the rhetoric. Harman Singh of the Sikh Coalition noted FBI data indicating Sikhs remain a primary target for religious hate crimes. As misinformation grows, the coalition emphasizes due legal process over media sensationalism, ensuring justice prevails through traditional judicial measures rather than divisive public discourse.
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