Washington, D.C., September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
UNITED SIKHS was in Washington, D.C., this week to follow up on civil and human rights issues discussed during its 2026 Annual Sikh Summit, meeting with government officials, members of Congress and legal professionals to advocate for Sikh religious liberty and civil rights.
On Tuesday, September 15, the organisation joined commercial drivers in the gallery during oral arguments before the D.C. Court of Appeals in the Lujan matter. The case concerns alleged unfair treatment and categorical exclusion of commercial drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
UNITED SIKHS also met with representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division (CRD) to discuss the enforcement of federal protections concerning Sikh religious freedom and civil rights.
The organisation engaged with the Civil Rights Division under the leadership of Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. During the meeting, UNITED SIKHS emphasised that religious liberty should extend to everyday life, including the ability to wear articles of faith, practise religion, gather for worship, operate community institutions and participate in workplaces and public life without discrimination or coercion.
“For Sikh Americans, this includes the ability to maintain our articles of faith, like the Kirpan and to worship freely, establish and use gurdwaras without discriminatory barriers, and live without fear of hate-based violence or harassment,” Gurvinder Singh said.
The discussions with CRD attorneys covered several aspects of the division’s civil rights responsibilities, including reporting and documenting violations, investigating alleged civil rights abuses and pursuing appropriate legal action in cases involving violence or threats motivated by religion, race, ethnicity or perceived identity.
Dhillon also discussed the Civil Rights Division’s jurisdiction concerning land-use matters. According to UNITED SIKHS, she noted that federal law protects religious institutions from discriminatory or unjustifiably burdensome land-use decisions.
The meeting also covered the division’s authority concerning religious accommodation for public-sector employees.
Participants discussed the importance of continued cooperation between community organisations, government agencies and public institutions. UNITED SIKHS said that maintaining clear communication with the Civil Rights Division can help community members better understand the agency’s legal authority, enforcement mechanisms and statutory limitations, as well as where and how they can seek assistance.
UNITED SIKHS reiterated its belief that “the human race is one” and encouraged individuals who believe they have experienced religious discrimination, hate-based violence or unlawful denial of religious accommodation to document such incidents and seek assistance promptly.
The organisation said affected individuals can contact UNITED SIKHS at contact@unitedsikhs.org.
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