On Thursday, 2 Texas men were sentenced to 3 years in prison for attacking a Sikh-American last year. Maan Singh Khalsa was attacked by the two men in Richmond, California during September of last year. The 2 men beat Khalsa and cut off his hair.
Khalsa was driving home on the night of the attack, when a car filled with 5 people started throwing beer cans at him, authorities report. Khalsa called 911 but the car kept following him until Khalsa stopped at a red light. The 2 men repeatedly punched Khalsa’s face through an open window.
The two men that attacked Khalsa are Chase Little and Colton Leblanc.
Khalsa tried to plead with them, saying, “There is a misunderstanding; I am your brother.” The two men ignored Khalsa’s pleas and continued to beat him and cut off his hair. Khalsa responded by saying, “Cutting a Sikh’s hair is one of the most humiliating things anyone can do to a Sikh…By cutting my hair, the attackers did not just attack my body; they attacked my dignity, my spirit, my faith, my religion and my entire community.”
Khalsa’s pinky finger was stabbed and had to be amputated. Khalsa immigrated to the United States from India in 2003. He is an IT specialist and the father of an 8-year-old daughter.
Khalsa describes how greatly the attack has affected his life, “Before September 25, 2016, I was so carefree. I considered myself an American like everyone else. I had never worried about being a victim of prejudice. I enjoyed my life fully – working, volunteering across the country and globe, spending time with my family, horseback riding, working out in the gym and rock-climbing with my daughter.”
The men will receive a sentence of 3 years in prison, but unfortunately, this is not an isolated attack. Sikhs are regularly attacked, often for being mistaken as a Muslim. Attacks increased after 9/11, and are a result of rising xenophobia and islamophobia in the United States.
According to the Sikh Coalition, 67% of Sikh youth have experienced bullying.
Sikh Coalition staff attorney Pawanpreet Kaur said, “Acknowledging that this bias-based attack is a hate crime under state law both recognizes the deep dignitary harm to Mr. Khalsa, and ensures that we, as a society, confront the problems of Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia that make the Sikh community a target for violence.”
In his final remarks on Thursday’s hearing, Khalsa said: “I hope that you will learn about me and my community and one day consider me your brother too.”
