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Krishnamoorthi condemns anti‑Sikh remarks by Rep. Miller
“Her remarks were both anti‑Sikh and anti‑Muslim, and they reflect a disturbing pattern of religious intolerance,” he said.
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Staff Reporter
- Sat, 07, Jun 2025
- 14:34 EDT
- 29
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Raja Krishnamoorthi / File Photo
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D‑IL) denounced Representative Mary Miller’s recent remarks insulting a Sikh chaplain—initially misidentified as Muslim—for leading the congressional prayer.
“I am appalled by Rep. Mary Miller’s comments—first misidentifying a Sikh chaplain as Muslim, then saying he should have ‘never been allowed’ to lead the House in prayer,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Also Read: Rep.Gottheimer moves to address anti-sikh hate in U.S.
“Her remarks were both anti‑Sikh and anti‑Muslim, and they reflect a disturbing pattern of religious intolerance. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all. The Sikh and Muslim communities have long contributed to the strength, service, and spirit of our nation. All Americans—regardless of party—must come together to reject these attacks and stand united against all forms of prejudice,” he added.
The controversy ignited after Mary Miller—Republican congresswoman from Illinois—posted, then deleted, a comment on X stating it was “deeply troubling” that a Muslim had been allowed to lead the House prayer. She later corrected “Muslim” to “Sikh,” and ultimately removed the post, but not before drawing sharp bipartisan criticism.
Critics across the political spectrum condemned the remarks. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries denounced her comments as “ignorant and hateful.” Even some Republicans, including David Valadao, called her statements “troubling” and underscored the importance of religious pluralism.
The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) labeled Miller’s comment “xenophobic and factually incorrect,” urging an apology and inviting dialogue to improve religious understanding.
The Sikh Coalition and Hindu American Foundation echoed the call, noting that deleting the post was insufficient and that Miller should publicly apologise to both Sikh and Muslim communities.
The Sikh granthi at the center of the controversy, Giani Surinder Singh of New Jersey, was invited to lead the prayer as part of a longstanding tradition of including diverse faith leaders in House invocations.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R‑NJ), who extended the invitation, praised Singh’s role as emblematic of “peace, humility, service” and “American values.”
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