Indian Americans including some Sikh groups strongly oppose bill SB 403 which introduces caste system in California

Published on: 29 Jun 2023 at 10:38 AM

Published by: thefactnews

The Fact News Service

Yuba City, June 29

Yuba City Mayor Wade Kirchner and members of the Sikh Community—one of the most populous diaspora communities in the Northern California city—implored Assemblyman James Gallagher to oppose Senate Bill 403 (SB 403) and have his fellow elected representatives also oppose it. The bill would formally introduce the caste system into California; a point which is baffling and counterintuitive for Indian Americans most of whom do not even know their ancestry’s “caste” nor do they subscribe to caste.

Also, based upon the series of letters from some Sikh Community groups and many prominent Gurudwara’s , Sutter County Board of Supervisors passed the resolution to oppose the SB403 Bill. A letter was written to assembly member James Gallagher by Karm Bains, Chair Sutter County Board of Supervisors. A lifelong Sutter County and Yuba City resident Karm Bains is son of prominent American Sikh leaders and farmer , late Didar Singh Bains once deemed as the “Peach King” of California.

California Senate passed SB403, a bill that aims to make caste discrimination illegal. However, there are concerns that this legislation could have a negative impact on small business owners within the Sikh community.

Certain proponents of the SB403 bill are disseminating misleading information in an attempt to misguide the Sikh community concerning the legislation. Rest assured, these individuals will soon face exposure for their actions.

Sukhi Chahal Founder, CEO & Editor-In-Chief: The Khalsa Today said that SB-403 is not only insulting, it’s racist. It’s discriminatory. And it’s unlawful. It is my wish that my adopted country lives up to its highest ideals as a country where all are judged by the content of their character. But SB-403, in scapegoating my fellow South Asians, only ends up furthering the discrimination it hopes to end.

It is worth mentioning here that few Sikh groups are supporting this bill and are in favour of implementing this measure.