In a shocking incident that unfolded on February 24, 2024, a 29-year-old Sikh musician, Raj Singh, also known as Goldy, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in the Selma region of Alabama, USA. Singh, originally from Tanda Sahuwala village in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district, had been working with a Sikh kirtan group in the United States for one and a half years.
Singh, the sole provider for his family following his father’s demise five years ago, leaves behind his mother, two sisters, and a younger brother. The family, devastated by the news, has appealed to the Indian government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to facilitate the return of Singh’s body to India for cremation.
The motive behind Raj Singh’s tragic murder remains unclear, yet his family strongly suspects it to be a case of hate crime. The incident has drawn attention to the rising concerns over hate crimes against the Indian-origin community in the United States.
This unfortunate event marks the second murder of an Indian-origin individual in the region this month. Earlier in February, Pravin Raojibhai Patel, a 76-year-old American hotelier of Gujarati origin, was shot dead after a confrontation with a man seeking accommodation in his motel in Sheffield, Alabama. The grim reality of such incidents highlights the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures.
Rising hate crimes in US
The broader context of hate crimes in the US raises alarming red flags.
According to recent data released by the California State University’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, hate crimes reported to police in the country’s 10 largest cities increased by approximately 13% in 2023 compared to the previous year. The total number of hate crimes reported across major cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, New York City, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, and Austin, reached 2,184 in 2023.
A more extensive analysis of 25 American cities reveals an average increase of 17% in hate crimes from 2022, adding to the growing concern about the safety and security of diverse communities in the US. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines a hate crime as a “committed criminal offense which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias(es) against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.”
Singh’s family seeks justice
Raj Singh’s murder serves as a poignant reminder of the need for concerted efforts to address and combat hate crimes. As the Indian diaspora grapples with the loss of one of its own, it prompts a reflection on the values of tolerance, diversity, and inclusion that are essential in fostering a harmonious society.
The tragedy has prompted Singh’s family to seek justice and the swift apprehension of the assailants. They join the ranks of those affected by hate crimes, demanding accountability and an end to the senseless violence that has claimed the lives of innocent individuals.
In conclusion, the untimely death of Raj Singh sheds light on the pressing issue of hate crimes, not only affecting the Sikh community but the broader Indian diaspora in the United States. It calls for a collective response from both governments and communities to foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, and acts of violence based on prejudice are unequivocally condemned. The need for increased awareness, education, and proactive measures to curb hate crimes remains imperative in ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens, regardless of their background or ethnicity.
