Despite the Indian Consulate of New York’s efforts to defame Connecticut Sikhs, the State of Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill related to Sikhs Serving in Law enforcement with “Dastaar” (Sikh Turban).

May 5th, 2022 (Hartford, CT) State of Connecticut General Assembly first passed SB133 in the senate, and a few days back also passed it in the house. Bill’s title is “AN ACT ALLOWING POLICE OFFICERS TO WEAR RELIGIOUS HEAD COVERINGS AS PART OF A POLICE UNIFORM”. It was ironic that the day Indian Consulate Newyork came to Connecticut State Capitol complaining about a citation given to the Sikh community recognizing April 29th, 2022 as the 36th anniversary of “Sikh Declaration of Independence Day”, the same day SB 133 was passed in the House and moved to go for Governor Signature.

Swaranjit Singh Khalsa Member of Norwich City Council said “The State of Connecticut is also known as a constitutional state and we have a history to stand by minorities and sovereign nations (Mohegan etc). We also have a history of defending freedom and I am glad that our elected officials do everything keeping in mind our American values and the American constitution which allows freedom of religion”.Himmat Singh, coordinator of the World Sikh Parliament said: “We were in the State Capitol when that bill was passed around midnight and the Sikh community must celebrate. We thank the State of Connecticut for Standing by Sikh Nation”.

Testimony submitted by Senator Bob Duff who is also Senate Majority leader says “Senator Osten, Representative Horn, Senator Champagne, Representative Howard and distinguished members of the Public Safety and Security Committee, I would like to thank you today for allowing me to submit testimony in support of Senate Bill 133, An Act Allowing Police Officers to Wear Religious Head Coverings as Part of a Police Uniform. Connecticut has taken many steps to end discrimination in our state and I believe that Senate Bill 133 is the next step for us to take to achieve a more diverse and accepting state. Our police forces need to be reflective of our population and this bill seeks to achieve that. The Sikh religion requires adherents to keep their head covered. This bill allows Sikhs to wear their turban as part of their uniform.

Many police departments in the United States and the United States Military, already have policies in place to allow Sikhs to wear a turban as part of their uniform. In 2020 the United States Military Academy at West Point saw its first Sikh graduate. Connecticut is home to a thriving Sikh community and they believe in service to their fellow citizens. They should be allowed to serve their state, their cities, and their towns and not have to break their religious practices to do so.

I thank the committee for your time and ask that you give this bill a favorable report. I look forward to working with you as it moves forward.”

Manpreet Singh Secretary of World Sikh Parliament said “World Sikh Parliament look forward to embracing the trust that has been created between State of Connecticut and Connecticut Sikh Community over a period of 35 years thru many more humanitarian efforts in coming time as they helped during a pandemic.”

Press Release By Manpreet Singh

General Secretary