California Sikhs have embarked on a journey from Bakersfield to Sacramento not only to commemorate a dark day in history 40 years ago, but also to spotlight the trauma they feel now.
About 50 joined the 350-mile “Fearless for Justice March” Oct. 9, mirroring the 1966 Cesar Chavez-led farmworker march from Delano. They want to draw attention to what many consider a genocide perpetuated against Sikhs in 1984, as well as to protest transnational repression directed against Sikhs by the government of India. Organizers expect hundreds, perhaps thousands, to join them along the way, arriving at the Capitol steps Nov. 1.
According to the Fearless for Justice website , one of the main goals of the long walk is to press for legislation regarding TNR. “The goals are:… the need to pass transnational repression (TNR) prevention laws at federal and state levels to ensure democratic protection of all US residents against foreign interference. ”
A TNR bill — AB 3027 — passed the California Assembly 72-0, but died in the Senate appropriations committee in August, following a lobbying blitz from groups linked to Hindutva , an i deology that promotes Hinduism as the national identity of India.