Ajay Bhutoria with Governor Newsom. / Handout/Ajay Bhutoria

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." — Helen Keller

 

These words capture the spirit of a remarkable moment for California’s South Asian diaspora. On October 12, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 509 (SB 509), a decision that preserved our community's harmony and reaffirmed the power of collective action. California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 509 (SB 509), a moment that shines as a beacon of unity for our South Asian diaspora. As a former Advisor to President Biden and Advocate for Uniting Asian American Communities, I am humbled to have played a  vital role in amplifying the voices of thousands who rallied against this well-intentioned but flawed legislation. This veto, much like the triumph over SB 403 in 2023, which I helped secure, reflects the collective strength of California’s 1.2 million Indian Americans—a testament to what we can achieve when we stand together for fairness, inclusion, and responsible governance.

SB 509 aimed to mandate specialized training for law enforcement to combat transnational repression—acts by foreign governments to silence or harm individuals abroad. Championed by groups like the Sikh Coalition, Jakara Movement, and Immigrant Defense Advocates, the bill passed unanimously in the Senate and Assembly by September 22, 2025, driven by real concerns about global threats, such as the 2023 plot against Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Their advocacy, including over 1,200 messages to lawmakers and gurdwara-led campaigns, was heartfelt and vital, underscoring the need to protect all communities from fear.

Yet, organizations like the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), AIA , along with countless volunteers, raised critical concerns. Heartfelt thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) for vetoing SB 509, honoring my request  to preserve diaspora unity and align with existing federal frameworks. Governor Newsom's leadership, coupled with recognizing Diwali as a California state holiday, uplifts our community and fills us with gratitude. Special thanks to community leaders and volunteers, including Khanderao Kand, Yogi Chugh, Mihir Meghani, Puspita, Anurag Mairal, , Vijaya Aasuri, Ramesh Konda, Veeru Vuppala, Rakhi Sirani, Suhag Shukla,, Ritesh Tandon, Dr.Japra, Jeevan Zutshi, Pranjali ji and thousands of others whose tireless efforts—through petitions, protests, virtual town halls, and op-eds—highlighted SB 509’s risks: redundancy with federal protections like the FBI’s Counterintelligence Task Forces and laws such as FARA, potential profiling of Indian-origin residents, particularly Hindus, as "foreign proxies," and unnecessary strain on California’s $12 billion deficit. Their work underscored how the bill’s vague language could chill free speech, from temple events to policy discussions, and fracture Sikh-Hindu unity.

The letter

At the community’s urging, I stepped forward to amplify these concerns, leveraging my relationships built through years of civic engagement. In a detailed letter to Governor Newsom, I outlined the bill’s redundancies, fiscal burdens, and risks of division, drawing on his precedent of vetoing bills like SB 936 (2024) and SB 403 (2023) for similar reasons.

Here’s a small excerpt of my letter:

Dear Governor Newsom,

On behalf of California’s vibrant Indian-American community, I urge you to veto Senate Bill 509 (SB 509). While well-intentioned, this bill duplicates robust federal mechanisms addressing transnational repression, such as the FBI’s Counterintelligence Program and laws like FARA (1938). With no California-specific TNR cases justifying state intervention, SB 509 risks wasteful spending amid a $12 billion deficit, diverting resources from urgent needs like combating hate crimes, including four Hindu temple vandalism incidents in the Bay Area. Its vague language could profile Indian Americans, chilling cultural advocacy and deepening community tensions, contrary to your vision of inclusive governance. Your vetoes of SB 936, SB 403, and others show a commitment to fiscal prudence and equity—please extend that wisdom to SB 509 by October 13, 2025.

Sincerely,
Ajay Bhutoria
Indian-American Community Leader

Former Advisor to President Biden, AANHPI Commission, White House

The outcome

Through follow-up discussions, I shared stories of families and advocates who feared being mislabeled, emphasizing unity over division. Governor Newsom, a listener attuned to California’s diversity, signaled to me his intent to prioritize federal tools over state redundancy.  His veto message, released yesterday, confirmed this: “Transnational repression is a serious concern... However, I am vetoing this measure because it would duplicate existing federal training programs already available to California law enforcement.”

This victory, paired with Newsom’s proclamation of Diwali as a state holiday, lights the way forward. It honors our festivals and shields us from policies that could fracture our diaspora. From Silicon Valley to every community celebrating our heritage, we stand stronger. To HAF, CoHNA, FIIDS, AIA, the Sikh Coalition, and all who fought: let’s build on this unity, ensuring policies uplift every voice. Thank you, Governor Newsom, for hearing us—our community is with you, forging a brighter, more inclusive California.

Governor Newsom’s leadership in this moment—vetoing a divisive bill while celebrating our cultural heritage—marks him as a beacon of hope for our nation’s future. His ability to listen, balance competing concerns, and champion inclusive governance positions him as the strongest Democratic candidate for President in 2028. With his vision and resolve, he offers a powerful hope to help restore the soul of our nation, uniting diverse communities under the banner of equity and progress. Thank you, Governor Newsom, for leading with heart—our diaspora is with you, forging a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.

 

Ajay Bhutoria is a Silicon Valley tech executive, National Community Leader, and is dedicated to fostering unity and equity. As a former advisor to President Biden, he shaped transformative immigration policies addressing H-1B visas, domestic renewal stamping, and steps to green card backlogs, and served as Deputy National Finance Chair for the DNC, raising millions for Democratic causes.

 

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad)

Ajay Bhutoria with Governor Newsom / Handout/Ajay Bhutoria