For Indians, all Sikhs not Khalistanis

| Updated: 02 October, 2023 7:21 pm IST
Sikh Granthi leads prayers at US House of Representative on Friday, September 29

Indians from all faiths have welcomed the US Congress’ move to start its session with Sikh prayers, which many say indicates that Hindus, Jains, Christians, and others make a clear distinction between Khalistan propagators and the followers of Sikhism.

On Friday, former head Granthi of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Giani Jaswinder Singh led the US House of Representatives in offering prayers to the Almighty by reciting ‘shabad’.

The move comes at a time when separatist Khalistani activities are back in focus in Canada, the US, and the UK, with extremists issuing threats to moderate Sikhs and other people of Indian origin who don’t support their agenda.

However, the widespread support for Sikh prayers in the US House of Representatives from Indian expatriates of various religious backgrounds serves as a strong rebuttal to secessionists who reside abroad and propagate hatred towards India and her people.
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On the same day, Indian-origin Representative Shri Thanedar announced the establishment of a new Congressional caucus aimed at safeguarding the interests of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists residing in the US.

This caucus garnered support from both Democrats and Republicans, with more than 27 lawmakers endorsing it.

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Indians welcome move, say Sikhs and Khalistanis are different

The majority of the Indian diaspora in the US, as well as resident Indians, have appreciated the move to include Sikh prayers in the US House of Representatives.

On social media, they have commended the event and taken pride in the recognition of an Indic religion in the United States. They have emphasized that Sikhs are an integral part of India, while the secessionist Khalistani mindset represents a minority within the Sikh community.

History of Hindu prayers in US Congress

This is not the first time that Indic religions found a place in the US Congress. In September 2000, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressed the session, accompanied by Venkatachalapathi Samuldrala, the head priest of a Shiva temple in Ohio, who was invited to lead the prayers.

However, this move stirred controversy, with criticism from Christian groups.

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In 2007, another Hindu priest, Rajan Zed, faced opposition during his prayer in the US Senate, with heckling even taking place from the Senate gallery.

In 2013, Tulsi Gabbard became the first-ever Hindu to become a part of US Congress.

In 2022, Indian-origin Member of Parliament Pam Gosal recited a Sikh prayer before taking her oath inside the Scottish Parliament.

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