Sikhs Address Hate Crimes

The beating of a Sikh store owner in North Hills by men who asked if he knew Osama bin Laden prompted Sikh community leaders and police to hold a news conference Friday about the spate of attacks on Sikhs since Sept. 11.

Surinder Singh Sidhu, 47, of Valencia, who as an observant Sikh wears a long beard and turban, was working in his convenience store about 11 p.m. Monday when two men beat him with metal poles.

By coming forward to discuss the incident, members of the faith said they hoped to take a stand against those who would confuse them with Bin Laden’s followers.

More than a dozen Sikhs, along with local police specializing in hate crime enforcement and a spokesman for Rep. Howard Berman (D-Panorama City), appeared at the news conference, held at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division in Northridge.

“We are deeply concerned by this event as Sikhs, but we are not shocked,” said Kirtan-Singh Khalsa, a minister at Guru Ram Das Ashram in Los Angeles. “We are proud to be Sikhs. Even with all the pressure, we are here to stay.”

This week’s attack is the latest in a string of assaults against Sikhs since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon.

On Sept. 15, a gunman fatally shot the Sikh owner of an Arizona convenience store. And on Oct. 1, a Sikh woman was driving to work in San Diego when two male motorcyclists jumped into the woman’s car at a stoplight and threatened to slash her throat.

In the North Hills attack, Sidhu said he pushed a candy shelf on the attackers and ran. The men fled a short time later, he said.

Police Capt. Joseph Curreri said the crime initially was reported as an assault with a deadly weapon. It later was categorized as a hate crime--the first against Sikhs in the San Fernando Valley--because of the men’s remarks and because nothing was stolen. No arrests have been made in the case.

Sidhu was treated for injuries to his head, arms and upper body. He said he feels no bitterness.

“I love this country,” he said Friday. “This country gave me opportunities. It is a land of freedom.”

Sikhs “are a very nice community,” he added. “[The attackers] don’t know about our religion.”

A progressive faith that was founded more than 500 years ago, Sikhism today has a following of more than 500,000 worshipers in the United States, including about 15,000 in Los Angeles County, Khalsa said.

The religion preaches a message of devotion to God at all times, truthful living and equality of mankind. It also denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Devout males keep beards and bind their head hair in a turban, which is considered the crown of spirituality.