I had a front seat view of the recently concluded NYC council elections and have witnessed how much these contests have changed over the years. The district that includes Bellerose, Floral Park, Queens Village, Hollis, and Oakland Gardens has seen a very spirited campaign by a diverse group of candidates. The demographic shift is evident everywhere one looks as Queens has been a favorite destination for new immigrants over the past five decades. It is estimated that about 45% of the population in District 23 is foreign-born. Some of the major boulevards in District 23, such as Hillside Avenue, are dotted with South Asian businesses selling Masala Dosa and Shish Kabab, replacing Italian Ice and Irish Whisky.
Considering these changes, the South Asians who live in the district have been trying for quite some time to have a representative of their own. The powerful democratic machine in Queens had a stranglehold on decision-making in that regard, and the disunity within the south Asian community always played into their hands. This election cycle was no different in that regard as four candidates of Indian origin decided to contest. This time around too, the machine politics favored Linda Lee, a candidate of Southeast Asian dissent.
Harpreet Toor, Jaslin Kaur, and Sanjeev Jindal from the Punjabi community and Mr. Koshy Thomas from the Kerala community threw their hats into the ring. They appeared to have employed all the resources at their disposal to reach the voters in the district and convince them of their plans and proposals on how to improve the services to the community while assuring them of safety and security. In addition, there were three other candidates Steve Behar, Debra Merkel, and Linda Lee, who were also in the running.
To this observer, the campaign of Jaslin Kaur was distinct from all others. She was able to put together a coalition of young people from across the community who became foot soldiers on her behalf. She was endorsed by the progressive wing of the Democratic party led by Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez (AOC) and Bernie Sanders, along with many unions and the working family party. It is believed that she might also be the second or third choice of many voters from the Indian community, which might bode well for her in the final tally. The three other Asian Indian candidates focused their efforts primarily on theirown communities. Sanjeev Jindal appeared to have garnered more support from the Hindu community, while Toor has benefited from the Sikh community support and Koshy Thomas from the Kerala Christian community.
Jaslin Kaur still may have a chance to pull off a surprise victory. If all four candidates fail again, there is only one explanation that we have not learned much from history, and our inability to create a consensus will continue to haunt us! If one adds up all the votes of the Asian Indian candidates, it becomes abundantly clear to everyone.
Sadly, race, ethnicity, and gender issues have become the driving force in the American political arena today, and the eventual winner undoubtedly will be indebted to one or more groups for their hard-earned victory.
Though a mere drop in the ocean, the Sikh community in the US, numbering around 280,000, according to The World Religion Database at Boston University, has made its presence felt in the country. The community which began trickling into the US at the beginning of the century started to pour after 70’s, with trouble brewing in their home e State of Punjab in India. In the 80’s the Sikhs came in torrents in the US after the genocide of the community in the wake of the killing of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
They came, they saw, they conquered. Their immediate concern was having food at the table. In the last about 50 years, every Sikh who came to the US is in a position to claim that he enjoys a certain amount of financial security. Their next generation started getting education here. With a certain amount of financial security rose a desire to empower themselves through the political processes. They began to know and mix with the people of their community who were already involved in whatever way in the political processes.
However, the community organizations remained the first love. It was through the community organizations that many moved on to participate in the political process. The community has understood that real empowerment can come only when they have political power. They have also been reminded that back in 1955 one of them was elected the first Sikh Congressman. Dalip Singh Saund is remembered with reverence as a role model for the community.
Dalip Singh Saund was the first Sikh and first Indian American elected to Congress.
Since the time of Congressman Saund, a number of Sikhs have entered politics. But never before now, there ever was such an impressive gallery of the Sikhs taking part in electoral politics. I am not going to span the entire nation. I am inclined to confine myself to New York City where we are going to have the civic elections in November this year. The primaries a few days away will decide the fate of many aspiring candidates to various offices.
I spoke with a number of people from different walks of life about this newfound love for politics. To the question “why so many Sikhs, particularly the young ones, now aspire for political positions, the answer invariably was that they want to empower themselves; they want to be heard; they want a pie of the political cake. Most said that the economic prosperity has no meaning until they are politically empowered. For the November 2021 cycle New York City elections, we have quite a few Sikhs in the fray. They all are for City council.
Harpreet Singh Toor
For City Council District 23, we have two Sikhs. One is Harpreet Singh Toor, a senior community leader and a politician with a long standing. Having worked in City administration and with elected representatives, he has come to acquire a good understanding of various aspects of working on administration and political fronts.
Jaslin Kaur
Another candidate is Jaslin Kaur, a spirited young lady who is seeking to draw strength from the younger generation.
Amit Singh Bagga
Amit Singh Bagga is a Sikh candidate for Council District 26. He is pitted against 14 candidates, including Asians and South Asians.
Japneet Singh
Japnit Singh, a young Sikh is one of the 2 candidates in City Council District 28 where Adrienne Adams is a sitting council member.
Felicia Singh
Another young Sikh lady Felicia Singh is pitted against 5 others in City council District 32.
However, I have also wondered why the Sikh Community has so far failed to get a strong footing in the mainstream politics in the Northeast U.S.
Raghbir Singh Subhanpur
I asked the question to Mr. Raghbir Singh Subhanpur, a prominent businessman of Queens and President of Shiromani Akali Dal, America. He said, “There may be manifold reasons for that predicament. The first generation that came ashore to this great country focused on their economic well-being. We have come from an environment where there were shortages, joblessness, and heightened competition for basic human needs. Therefore, upon arrival, we have dug in focusing on our self-improvement by attaining educational qualifications, professional jobs, Houses, providing top-notch education to our children, and the time left was used for religious services or cultural expressions. Our economic insecurity became an obstacle to any progress in the political arena.”
“In addition, for the same reason as I stated above, we pushed our children to take up professions that have job security in fields such as Medicine, Engineering, or Information Technology. Political Science or International Relations were mostly shunned in favor of subjects that would reward a higher paycheck after graduation. Those who studied Law preferred to join a successful law firm or practice outside in a lucrative real estate business. Let us look at the composition of the forces at play at the higher echelons of power in the U.S. It consisted primarily of two groups: Lawyers and Businessmen (CEOs with MBAs from prestigious Institutions). Almost fifty percent of those running USA Inc. come from the top 15 Colleges or Universities in this country. In the final analysis, most of our young people ended up in professions that supported the Enterprise from behind rather than leading up in the front.”
“At the end of the day, Sikhs must come together to succeed”, said Mr. Raghbir Singh Subhanpur,
(The author is Chief Editor of The Indian Panorama)
Indian Americans, according to the latest US Census are the highest family income earners, with $120,000 average income for a family of four.
Indian Americans are the highest educated consistently since the 2010 census. They have the highest percentage of Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees.
They are brilliant students, researchers, scientists, scholars, teachers, authors, artists. They are everywhere- in business, professions, politics, entertainment, media and in many other fields.
Of late, there has been a growing realization among the Indian American community that the real empowerment for the community can flow only when the community has political power. This new realization has resulted in an increase in the number of Indian Americans going in for politics, and actively participating in political processes.
Whereas, one can see scores of Indian Americans picked up for important positions in Biden administration (there were many in Trump’s administration, too, and in the administrations of many former Presidents) , and many are elected members of the US House of representatives, and many in State and City legislatures, one can see clearly an increased interest among Indian Americans to run for elections from the numbers who have thrown their hats in the electoral ring in the 2021 New York City elections .
There are at least 8 Indian Americans in political fray for the 2021 New York City Council elections. Their concerns are primarily the concerns of all immigrant communities, from education to housing, to safety and security to jobs and economic prosperity.
I will introduce here these contestants, and what they stand for.
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 23.
There is a total of 7 candidates. 4 of them are Indian American. Among them, there are 2 Sikhs, one Christian and one Hindu.
The other three candidates are: Steve Behar, Linda Lee, Debra Markell
Going by the alphabetical order, the first Indian American I will pick up is Harpreet Singh Toor
HARPREET S TOOR
Harpreet Singh Toor
City Council District 23
The three top issues Harpreet has listed are:
Pandemic relief
Safe streets
Health Care
This is how Harpreet introduces himself.
“Harpreet Singh Toor has been an advocate for working- and middle-class families his entire adult life. Now he’s bringing his unique set of skills, experience, and successful record of improving the quality of life for all who live and work in Queens, to City Council District 23. His number one priority will be on resolving the problems resulting from the Pandemic crises.
“In more than 25 years of community service I have earned a reputation as someone who gets things done. Whether it’s getting the Religious Garb bill signed, co-naming Queens’ streets, or helping constituents navigate schools, hospitals and the PD, I have earned the respect of the people I serve, acting with integrity and full transparency.”
“As a lifelong district resident, I would be the first woman and person of color to represent my home. Raised by a taxi driver and union grocery store worker, I was spurred upon public service by the taxi medallion debt crisis. Having dedicated my life to education equity and immigrant justice, I am running to fight for worker and small business relief, world-class public transit, fully funded public schools, and affordable housing for all.
“Backed by key unions and progressive organizations such as CWA D1, PSC-CUNY, The Jewish Vote, Sunrise, Working Families Party, and Democratic Socialists of America, I will build a city that works for all of us.”
For more about Jaslin, visit www.jaslinkaur.nyc
Email: info@jaslinkaur.nyc
KOSHY THOMAS
Koshy Thomas
City council District 23
The three top issues Koshy has listed are:
Stimulate Economy
Health Care for all
Promote Peace and Prosperity
This is how Koshy introduces himself.
“Exited to be a candidate for the Democratic party will united various ethnical groups, assimilate them to the community to promote peace property. This will stimulate the economy and also promote tax rebate.
“Worked with almost all associations and groups in the District.”
I am ready to fight for the people: the individuals, and the communities that make New York special. I will create a better environment for small business, increase public safety, and expand equitable health care. Through empowering individuals with resources, assistance, and knowledge, we can create job stability which will allow people to pursue a career path that motivates and inspires them. Now’s the time to put power back into the hands of the people, and I am committed to exactly that.
“India Association of Long Island; South Asians for Strong America; South Asians for Empowerment; India Day Parade”.
There is a total of 8 candidates. The only Indian American Shekar Krishnan is pitted against 7 candidates, including South Asian and Asian, among others.
The other 7 candidates are: Xi Chen, Liliana Melo, Manuel Perez, Alfonso Quiroz, William Salgado, Carolyn Tran
SHEKAR KRISHNAN
Shekar Krishnan
City Council District 25
The three top issues Shekar has mentioned are:
Dignified, permanent housing for all
Defend immigrant New Yorkers
Invest in community-based safety
This is how Shekar introduces himself.
“Our city is facing a crisis of affordability, racial justice, and public health. We need a fighter representing us who will be fearless in standing up to powerful interests when our community’s needs are at stake. I am a civil rights lawyer fighting for housing justice and preventing displacement. I’m also a longtime activist in my community of Elmhurst and Jackson Heights, the son of immigrants from India, and the father of two small children. Together, we can rebuild our city, so it works for everyone.
There is a total of 15 candidates. One is a Sikh American of Indian origin. Amit Singh Bagga is pitted against 14 candidates, including South Asian and Asian, among other.
The other 14 candidates are: Jonathan Bailey, Lorenzo Brea, Julia Forman, Glennis Gonez, Dennis-Keehan Smith, Badrun Khan, Heajin Kim, Jesse Laymon, Sultan Maruf, Brent O’Leary, Steven Raga, Emily Sharpe, Julie Won, Ebony Young.
AMIT BAGGA
Amit Bagga
City Council District 26
The top three issues Amit has listed are:
Racial justice through economic justice
Deeply & permanently affordable housing
Immigrant, health, & environmental justice
This is how Amit introduces himself.
We need bold, progressive vision and real experience to deliver justice for NYC. Over 14 years, I’ve reunited hundreds of immigrant families, implemented paid sick leave & protections for freelancers & low-wage workers, fought predatory lending, and secured our political & economic future through NYC’s first-ever census campaign. My plan treats employment with dignity for all, housing, healthcare, & a thriving environment as human rights, and replaces our police state with a peace state.
There is a total of 3 candidates. One is a Sikh American of Indian origin. The two others are Adrienne Adams (the sitting Council Member) and Ruben Wills.
JAPNEET SINGH
Japneet Singh
City Council District 28
The three top issues Japneet has listed are:
Government Transparency
Education & Social Services
Infrastructure
Here is how Japneet introduces himself.
“This campaign’s primary goal is to unite the communities that live in Southern Queens. For far too long, due to the lack of leadership that truly understands our community, we have been divided. It is time, we come together in order to advocate for better schools and infrastructure as well as social services that will help to revitalize our community.
“Japneet Singh has been an active member of the community for years. He is one of the youngest members of Community Board 10 and also served as the Student Body President of Queens College from 2016-2018. He has played a vital role in numerous initiatives and with your support, hopes to continue his work on the City Council level.”
Email: japneetsinghfornewyork@gmail.com
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 32
There is a total of 6 candidates. One is a Sikh American of Indian origin. Felicia Singh is pitted against 5 others who include Kaled Alamarie, Bella Matias, Michael Scala, Shaleigh Severino, Helal Sheikh.
FELICIA SINGH
Felicia Singh
City Council District 32
The three top issues Felicia has listed are:
Fully Fund Public Schools
Climate & Environmental Resilience
Safe & Equitable Transportation
This is how Felicia introduces herself.
“I’m an educator and daughter of working-class immigrants. As a lifelong resident of Ozone Park, graduate of NYC Public schools, and teacher, I’ve experienced systems that do not work for the working-class and that pushed me to run for office. My life’s work is serving and empowering those around me – identifying the structural barriers preventing communities like mine from thriving and bringing people and resources together to create lasting change. As your council member, trust that I’ll fight for you and your family in City Hall.”
The June 22 primaries will test the acumen of the Indian American contestants for New York City Council which needs the long-awaited presence of the Indian American community.
(Author is the chief editor of The Indian Panorama)
Signup to our Newsletter!
Don’t miss out on all the happenings around the world
