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Concerns over growing intimidation, threats against members of the Sikh community in Indiana

Posted at 7:59 PM, Mar 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-30 00:47:23-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Sikhs in Indiana say they’re being intimidated and harassed at an alarming rate in recent months, but they don’t believe they’re the intended target.

Many members of the community believe that the “attacks” that have been directed at them stem from a misunderstanding of who they are and the misinterpretation that being a Sikh is the same as being a Muslim. And those attitudes come from the heightened fear of Muslims across the country.

President Donald Trump’s immigration ban is just one example of a political act that has affected public attitudes about Muslims in recent months, but it’s not the only one. 

Members of the Sikh community in Indianapolis are hoping to set the record straight before someone goes too far - but they don't condone violence against Muslims either. 

Dr. Amandeep Singh said someone was sending him threatening text messages in mid-December, while he was in his office seeing patients.

Amandeep said he felt a range of emotions after the threats, including fear for his family and his patients.

“Fear, especially if you have family, kids, the safety of your family and kids, that comes to mind first,” said Amandeep. “Then you try to make sense of it.”

Amandeep said he doesn’t understand why someone would send him those threatening messages unless they misunderstood who he was because he’s been an active servant of the community he lives in.

“It is very hard to comprehend because I go in the community and I serve in the community,” said Amandeep.

Amandeep has not been the only victim.

Gruinder Singh started the Sikh Political Action Committee to represent the 10,000 Sikhs who live in the state of Indiana. He said in recent weeks they have had multiple instances of vandalism against businesses and even a confrontation involving a handgun.

Both Gruinder and Amandeep want to help inform the community on what Sikhs believe and to remind that they’re no different than anyone else.

“Every morning we have the same commitment to go serve humanity and try to work for the betterment of the society,” said Gruinder.

Gruinder said intimidation and violence against the Sikh community has been on the uptick since September 11 across the country. But he hopes that by keeping the public informed, they can address those issues and move forward.

“We love this country,” said Gruinder. “That’s why we’re here.”