Congressman Crowley Strongly Condemns Vicious Attack on Sikh Professor Near Central Park

(Washington, D.C.) - This week, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), a leader on Sikh-American issues in the U.S. Congress, spoke out about Dr. Prabhjot Singh, who was injured while being attacked by a group of people on Saturday near Central Park. Singh is a medical doctor and an assistant professor of international affairs at Columbia University. Singh, a Sikh American, has worked to chronicle anti-Sikh violence and even wrote a joint op-ed for the New York Times on the issue last year. Authorities are investigating the attack as a hate crime. Singh was released from the hospital on Sunday after treatment for his injuries.

“I am deeply troubled by the events that took place on Saturday near Central Park. I wish Dr. Singh a speedy recovery and hope he can return soon to his important work,” said Rep. Crowley. “This kind of continued hate and violence against Sikh Americans must end. The Sikh community is an important part of New York and our country. They are everyday Americans – serving in our military, as educators, business leaders and physicians. They are our neighbors and friends. The intolerance and ignorance that contributed to this attack is unacceptable, and we must continue to work to end these hate crimes.”

Sikh-Americans are often targeted for hate crimes because of their distinct identity and common misperceptions with respect to their attire and appearance. Attackers sometimes appear to erroneously believe that Sikh-Americans are affiliated with extremists and were somehow responsible for the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. In other circumstances they are attacked because of their Sikh identity.

Over the past two years, Congressman Crowley has led a major effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to convince the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to begin collecting data on hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans and Hindu-Americans – introducing legislation and sending multiple letters to the DOJ and FBI. In July, then-FBI Director Robert Mueller announced that it would begin this program.      

Crowley’s efforts have been supported by the Sikh Coalition, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Hindu American Foundation, Indian American Forum for Political Education, SALDEF, and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) among other leading national organizations. 

Congressman Crowley is the eight-term representative from the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.