The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has decided to track hate crimes against Sikhs in its uniform crime reporting program.
The newly constituted American Sikh Congressional Caucus had raised the matter with the FBI, which was accepted.
The American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) today congratulated the caucus for its 'first success'.
In a press statement issued here, AGPC President J S Hothi and Coordinator Dr.Pritpal Singh said they wanted to thank Caucus members, especially Judy Chu, the Co-Chair, and David Valadao, for their concerted efforts in raising the matter.
"We are thankful to Judy Chu, David Valadao and other Caucus members for taking up the matter at right level. Now that the FBI took this important decision to track hate crimes perpetrated against Sikh Americans, it is appropriate step in right direction," the AGPC said in a statement.
The U.S. leaders said American Sikhs were targeted in the years, especially after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and they faced humiliation.
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"Sikhs are a peaceful community, but have faced murders, assaults, bullying and ridiculing," they said, adding that the caucus is helping them to take up the matter relating security of the Sikhs at top government level. They added that they were happy that this was the caucus's first official act that had received a major success.
The caucus is also taking up the issues relating Military discrimination, bullying being experienced by as many as three in every four Sikh boys, racial profiling and employment discrimination against the Sikhs in the United States.