Ranjeev Puri, an Indian-American legislator in United States Michigan, has introduced a bill seeking to make vandalisation or desecration of religious institutions such as temples, mosques, or Sikh Gurudwaras a hate crime. 
The bill seeks to expand the definition of hate crimes to include the vandalisation of places of worship

Apart from this one, Michigan State Representative Puri has introduced several bills aimed at advancing social issues and inclusivity in the state.&nbsp;

<h2>Indian-American legislator's inclusive bills</h2>

One of the bills seeks to expand the definition of hate crimes in Michigan to include the vandalisation of places of worship. Puri's proposal aims to make it easier to prosecute individuals responsible for vandalising or desecrating religious institutions such as temples, mosques, or Sikh Gurudwaras.

Talking to PTI, Puri explained that "If a religious institution such as the temple, masjid or a Sikh Gurudwara is vandalised or desecrated, it is now gonna be much easier to prosecute those people with a heavy-handed responsibility that those hate crimes are. There are a whole host of issues that we are tackling. I'm most proud of in a leading voice on common sense gun reform in Michigan."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hindu-temple-defaced-in-ontario-as-anti-india-attacks-in-canada-continue-579642">Hindu temple defaced in Ontario as anti-India attacks in Canada continue</a>

Additionally, Puri has introduced another bill to establish several holidays as official state-recognised holidays in Michigan.&nbsp;

"I have introduced a bill to make the Diwali, Vaisakhi, and Eid al-Fitr, holidays in Michigan. I have another bill that would expand the definition of hate crimes. So, the original hate crime bill in Michigan was written in 1988 and has not been updated ever since. It’s 35 years and so we are updating the definitions to be more inclusive," Puri told news agency PTI during the interview.

<h2>Who is Ranjeev Puri?</h2>

Ranjeev Puri is currently serving his second term as a state representative and holds the influential position of Michigan House Majority Whip.&nbsp;

He has been actively advocating for gun reforms and is a leading voice in addressing social issues.

Puri's parents migrated from Amritsar, India, to the United States in the 1970s. His parents played a significant role in establishing the first Sikh Gurudwara&nbsp;in Wisconsin.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baps-swaminarayan-temple-vandalised-in-sydney-by-khalistan-supporters-reports-589067">BAPS Swaminarayan temple vandalised in Sydney by Khalistan supporters: Reports</a>

"As they emigrated to Wisconsin, they noticed there weren’t a lot of people that look like them. They really helped build a community and as more and more people emigrated, they actually started the first Sikh Gurudwara in the state of Wisconsin. I watched them build a community in&nbsp;Oak Creek," Puri told PTI.

The Oak Creek shooting in 2012, where six people were killed in a Gurudwara by a gunman with ties to white supremacist groups, deeply affected Puri. The shooting took place in the same gurudwara his parents had helped build.

"As I kind of progressed through my career, I got involved, I ended up taking up and working with President (Barack) Obama in 2012. Sadly 2012 was the Oak Creek shooting and the community was the same one that my parents had started in the early 70s."

"Unfortunately, that shooting was heart-wrenching, because many lives were lost that they were very close family friends, and I realised that’s when our broader Indian-American community really needed a stronger voice in this arena," he said.

<h2>Desecration of places of worship in US</h2>

In America, recent years have witnessed multiple cases of desecration and vandalism of religious places like Temples, Gurudwaras and Mosques.

A few months back, in January, Gurudwara Sahib Khalsa Darbar, in North Carolina's Charlotte city made the headlines. However, it was not a one-off incident. As per United Sikhs, a global charity affiliated with the UN Department of Public Information, the Sikh temple was made the target of four separate vandalism incidents within a few months. Similar incidents have been reported across the US and other Western countries, where Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims are minority communities.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ranjeev Puri, an Indian-American legislator in United States Michigan, has introduced a bill seeking to make vandalisation or desecration of religious institutions such as temples, mosques, or Sikh Gurudwaras a hate crime.

Ranjeev Puri, an Indian-American legislator in United States Michigan, has introduced a bill seeking to make vandalisation or desecration of religious institutions such as temples, mosques, or Sikh Gurudwaras a hate crime. The bill seeks to expand the definition of hate crimes to include the vandalisation of places of worship Apart from this one, Michigan State Representative Puri has introduced several bills aimed at advancing social issues and inclusivity in the state. Indian-American legislator's inclusive bills One of the bills seeks to expand the definition of hate crimes in Michigan to include the vandalisation of places of worship. Puri's proposal aims to make it easier to prosecute individuals responsible for vandalising or desecrating religious institutions such as temples, mosques, or Sikh Gurudwaras. Talking to PTI, Puri explained that "If a religious institution such as the temple, masjid or a Sikh Gurudwara is vandalised or desecrated, it is now gonna be much easier to prosecute those people with a heavy-handed responsibility that those hate crimes are. There are a whole host of issues that we are tackling. I'm most proud of in a leading voice on common sense gun reform in Michigan." Also read | Hindu temple defaced in Ontario as anti-India attacks in Canada continue Additionally, Puri has introduced another bill to establish several holidays as official state-recognised holidays in Michigan. "I have introduced a bill to make the Diwali, Vaisakhi, and Eid al-Fitr, holidays in Michigan. I have another bill that would expand the definition of hate crimes. So, the original hate crime bill in Michigan was written in 1988 and has not been updated ever since. It’s 35 years and so we are updating the definitions to be more inclusive," Puri told news agency PTI during the interview. Who is Ranjeev Puri? Ranjeev Puri is currently serving his second term as a state representative and holds the influential position of Michigan House Majority Whip. He has been actively advocating for gun reforms and is a leading voice in addressing social issues. Puri's parents migrated from Amritsar, India, to the United States in the 1970s. His parents played a significant role in establishing the first Sikh Gurudwara in Wisconsin. Also read | BAPS Swaminarayan temple vandalised in Sydney by Khalistan supporters: Reports "As they emigrated to Wisconsin, they noticed there weren’t a lot of people that look like them. They really helped build a community and as more and more people emigrated, they actually started the first Sikh Gurudwara in the state of Wisconsin. I watched them build a community in Oak Creek," Puri told PTI. The Oak Creek shooting in 2012, where six people were killed in a Gurudwara by a gunman with ties to white supremacist groups, deeply affected Puri. The shooting took place in the same gurudwara his parents had helped build. "As I kind of progressed through my career, I got involved, I ended up taking up and working with President (Barack) Obama in 2012. Sadly 2012 was the Oak Creek shooting and the community was the same one that my parents had started in the early 70s." "Unfortunately, that shooting was heart-wrenching, because many lives were lost that they were very close family friends, and I realised that’s when our broader Indian-American community really needed a stronger voice in this arena," he said. Desecration of places of worship in US In America, recent years have witnessed multiple cases of desecration and vandalism of religious places like Temples, Gurudwaras and Mosques. A few months back, in January, Gurudwara Sahib Khalsa Darbar, in North Carolina's Charlotte city made the headlines. However, it was not a one-off incident. As per United Sikhs, a global charity affiliated with the UN Department of Public Information, the Sikh temple was made the target of four separate vandalism incidents within a few months. Similar incidents have been reported across the US and other Western countries, where Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims are minority communities. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian-origin legislator proposes bill recognising vandalism of temples, gurdwaras as hate crime in Michigan

Two Sikh men were attacked in an alleged hate crime incident in New York, reports said.

The men were reportedly attacked as they were taking a morning walk in the Richmond Hills area of New York. 
Reports claimed one suspect has been arrested. Police claimed they are hunting for another suspect linked to the assault.

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2nd attack on 2 Sikhs within 10 days exactly at same location in Richmond Hill 
Apparently, targeted hate attacks against Sikhs happening in continuation. We condemn this in strong words. These shd be investigated &amp; perpetrators must be held accountable <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainNewYork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiainNewYork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/USAndIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USAndIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ld0RIxIeNn">pic.twitter.com/Ld0RIxIeNn</a>
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) <a href="https://twitter.com/mssirsa/status/1513907102372474881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Reports say the Sikh civil rights organisation is assisting the victim.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/70-year-old-sikh-man-attacked-in-new-york-nose-broken-receives-severe-injury-468676">Also Read: 70-year-old Sikh man attacked in New York; nose broken, receives severe injury</a>

The attack reportedly took place in the same area where a member of the community was attacked ten days ago.

Earlier this month, a 70-year-old Sikh man was attacked in New York while he was taking a stroll in the morning. The man named Nirmal Singh suffered a broken nose and bruises due to the attack in the Richmond Hill area.

Nirmal Singh had reportedly recently come to the United States. Singh said he was punched from behind. People had taken out a solidarity rally in Queens in New York to support Nirmal Singh and raise their voice against reported hate crimes in the city.

(Disclaimer: Twitter @mssirsa)&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

Two Sikh men were attacked in an alleged hate crime incident in New York, reports said. The men were reportedly attacked as they were taking a morning walk in the Richmond Hills area of New York.

Two Sikh men were attacked in an alleged hate crime incident in New York, reports said. The men were reportedly attacked as they were taking a morning walk in the Richmond Hills area of New York. Reports claimed one suspect has been arrested. Police claimed they are hunting for another suspect linked to the assault. 2nd attack on 2 Sikhs within 10 days exactly at same location in Richmond Hill Apparently, targeted hate attacks against Sikhs happening in continuation. We condemn this in strong words. These shd be investigated & perpetrators must be held accountable @IndiainNewYork @USAndIndia pic.twitter.com/Ld0RIxIeNn — Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) April 12, 2022 × Reports say the Sikh civil rights organisation is assisting the victim. Also Read: 70-year-old Sikh man attacked in New York; nose broken, receives severe injury The attack reportedly took place in the same area where a member of the community was attacked ten days ago. Earlier this month, a 70-year-old Sikh man was attacked in New York while he was taking a stroll in the morning. The man named Nirmal Singh suffered a broken nose and bruises due to the attack in the Richmond Hill area. Nirmal Singh had reportedly recently come to the United States. Singh said he was punched from behind. People had taken out a solidarity rally in Queens in New York to support Nirmal Singh and raise their voice against reported hate crimes in the city. (Disclaimer: Twitter @mssirsa) (With inputs from Agencies)

2 Sikh men attacked in alleged hate crime incident in New York

On Monday, April 4, a 70-year-old Sikh man was attacked while out for a morning stroll in Queens, a borough of New York City in the state of New York, according to ABC7 New York.

According to the police, Nirmal Singh suffered a broken nose and other bruises as a result of the unprovoked attack.

In his native Punjabi, Singh told ABC7 New York's Eyewitness News that he was hit from behind while out on his morning stroll in Richmond Hill, a business neighbourhood in New York City, on Sunday around 7 a.m.

The South Asian population in New York is upset, and the Indian diaspora in the area is frightened for their safety.

Japneet Singh, a community activist, feels the attack on Nirmal Singh was racially motivated.

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Elderly Sikh Man Assaulted In Richmond Hill, New York. Nirmal Singh Lives Alone In A Residential Housing Provided By Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) 🙏🏽😢💔🅿️🌎 <a href="https://t.co/tsSeamve8A">pic.twitter.com/tsSeamve8A</a>
— Punjabi Central Official 🅿️🌎 (@punjabicentral_) <a href="https://twitter.com/punjabicentral_/status/1510800492712013828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"People approach us in a certain way because of how we appear, "he explained.

He went on to say that because of the turban they wear, Sikh men are the most vulnerable to hate crimes.

When the attack occurred, Nirmal Singh had only been in the United States for two weeks.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

On Monday, April 4, a 70-year-old Sikh man was attacked while out for a morning stroll in Queens, a borough of New York City in the state of New York, according to ABC7 New York.

On Monday, April 4, a 70-year-old Sikh man was attacked while out for a morning stroll in Queens, a borough of New York City in the state of New York, according to ABC7 New York. According to the police, Nirmal Singh suffered a broken nose and other bruises as a result of the unprovoked attack. In his native Punjabi, Singh told ABC7 New York's Eyewitness News that he was hit from behind while out on his morning stroll in Richmond Hill, a business neighbourhood in New York City, on Sunday around 7 a.m. The South Asian population in New York is upset, and the Indian diaspora in the area is frightened for their safety. Japneet Singh, a community activist, feels the attack on Nirmal Singh was racially motivated. Elderly Sikh Man Assaulted In Richmond Hill, New York. Nirmal Singh Lives Alone In A Residential Housing Provided By Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) 🙏🏽😢💔🅿️🌎 pic.twitter.com/tsSeamve8A — Punjabi Central Official 🅿️🌎 (@punjabicentral_) April 4, 2022 × "People approach us in a certain way because of how we appear, "he explained. He went on to say that because of the turban they wear, Sikh men are the most vulnerable to hate crimes. When the attack occurred, Nirmal Singh had only been in the United States for two weeks. (With inputs from agencies)

70-year-old Sikh man attacked in New York; nose broken, receives severe injury

A man was arrested on charges of hate crime in the state of California, US after he punched a Sikh clerk and threw hot coffee on him as he believed the victim was a Muslim, according to a media report.

The man, identified as John Crain, threw the hot coffee at the clerk then punched him in the face before fleeing just before 2 am on Wednesday in Marysville, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The Sikh clerk told officers that John Crain had prepared himself a cup of coffee and attempted to leave without paying, according to a Marysville Police Department press release.

He is seen in the CCTV footage confronting John Crain at the front door before being attacked. The victim suffered injuries from the hot coffee, as well as a contusion on his face, police said.

Police said officers were dispatched to the same store later that afternoon for another reported assault and spotted John Crain walking away from the area.

Later that day, officers responded to another assault in the area and found a suspect walking away matching the description of the man from the earlier incident. The suspect was arrested.

John Crain admitted to the officers that he had assaulted the clerk during the previous night's incident.

He told police he "hated Muslims" and attacked the Sikh clerk because he believed he's Muslim. He was later booked into Yuba County Jail for theft, assault and hate crimes charges.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations and its allies from the Sikh community condemned the attack.

"We condemn this attack on an individual because of his faith. This hate crime represents yet another attack on our Sikh brothers and sisters fuelled by Islamophobia and those emboldened by this administration's xenophobic policies and sentiments," CAIR-SV's Civil Rights Attorney Saad Sweilem said in a statement.

"We welcome the hate crime charges and encourage law enforcement to continue to take these clear incidents of bias seriously."

A man was arrested on charges of hate crime in the state of California, US after he punched a Sikh clerk and threw hot coffee on him as he believed the victim was a Muslim, according to a media report.

A man was arrested on charges of hate crime in the state of California, US after he punched a Sikh clerk and threw hot coffee on him as he believed the victim was a Muslim, according to a media report. The man, identified as John Crain, threw the hot coffee at the clerk then punched him in the face before fleeing just before 2 am on Wednesday in Marysville, the Sacramento Bee reported. The Sikh clerk told officers that John Crain had prepared himself a cup of coffee and attempted to leave without paying, according to a Marysville Police Department press release. He is seen in the CCTV footage confronting John Crain at the front door before being attacked. The victim suffered injuries from the hot coffee, as well as a contusion on his face, police said. Police said officers were dispatched to the same store later that afternoon for another reported assault and spotted John Crain walking away from the area. Later that day, officers responded to another assault in the area and found a suspect walking away matching the description of the man from the earlier incident. The suspect was arrested. John Crain admitted to the officers that he had assaulted the clerk during the previous night's incident. He told police he "hated Muslims" and attacked the Sikh clerk because he believed he's Muslim. He was later booked into Yuba County Jail for theft, assault and hate crimes charges. The Council on American-Islamic Relations and its allies from the Sikh community condemned the attack. "We condemn this attack on an individual because of his faith. This hate crime represents yet another attack on our Sikh brothers and sisters fuelled by Islamophobia and those emboldened by this administration's xenophobic policies and sentiments," CAIR-SV's Civil Rights Attorney Saad Sweilem said in a statement. "We welcome the hate crime charges and encourage law enforcement to continue to take these clear incidents of bias seriously."

US man punches Sikh thinking he's Muslim, arrested