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Bill introduced targeting rising anti-Sikh hate
Rep. Gottheimer noted that Sikhs are the third most-targeted religious group in the country, seeing 153 attacks in 2025.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Sat, 17, Jan 2026
- 02:33 EST
- 9
Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Congressman David Valadao / Wikimedia commons
U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Congressman David Valadao recently introduced a bipartisan Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act.
The bill aims to sound the alarm on rising anti-sikh discrimination and hate, and to effectively tackle the challenges faced by the community.
Rep. Gottheimer noted in a statement, "Sikhs are the third most-targeted religious group in the country, seeing 153 attacks last year alone."
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The act aims to establish a Task Force on Anti-Sikh Discrimination at the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force will draft a federal definition of anti-Sikh hate, create educational programs for K-12 schools, law enforcement, and colleges, prepare an annual report to Congress on hate crimes against Sikhs, and regularly engage with the Sikh community and organizations.
“We know that there is no place for hate or intolerance here in the greatest country in the world. That’s why we cannot remain silent as our Sikh brothers and sisters are attacked day in and day out,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a member of the bipartisan American Sikh Congressional Caucus.
He added, “If we allow hatred, bigotry, and intolerance to go unchecked, then we risk abandoning the very principles upon which our country was founded. So, today, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting religious freedom and tolerance, and to working toward a world where all people are free to practice their faith without fear or discrimination.”
Rucha Kaur, Managing Director of Education & Community Development at the Sikh Coalition remarked, "On behalf of the Sikh Coalition, we are grateful to Congressman Gottheimer and his team for championing the safety of Sikhs, gurdwarae, and sangats."
Kaur also said, "By creating a task force focused on naming, documenting, and preventing hate crimes and other forms of discrimination against Sikhs, this bill takes an important step toward accountability, prevention, and ensuring that Sikh communities can live and worship safely and without fear.”
“It’s important for Congress to affirm its commitment to confronting hate, discrimination, and violence directed at religious minorities,” said Yadvinder Singh, President of the NJ Sikh Gurdwara Council.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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