Simranjit Singh Mann, Member of the Indian Parliament (M.P.)

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Mr. Mann Meets
California Attorney General
Bill Lockyer in Sacramento

Attending the Meeting with California AG Lockyer

Ram Singh, Commissioner, City of Milpitas, Gurmeet Sigh Khalsa, President of International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) (USA), Charan Singh Lohara, Vice President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (S.A.D.) Political Party, Ajitinder Singh Mofar, Member of the Legislature of the State of Punjab and Simranjit Singh Mann, M.P.

Mr. Mann and Attorney General Lockyer discussed a number of important issues to the Sikh communities both domestic and international. Religious Freedom and Human Rights were at the top of the conversation. Mr. Mann thanked Mr. Lockyer for his efforts to protect the rights of the California Sikh Community to practice there religion without interference from the government. Mr. Lockyer is known as a fierce protector of the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The nuclear standoff between India and Pakistan is of concern. The Predominantly Sikh State of Punjab, from which Mr. man was elected to the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, is sandwiched between the predominately Moslem Pakistan and the Predominantly Hindu India. this puts the Sikhs of Punjab in a difficult and dangerous position.

The meeting was very warm and cordial. Even though the conversation was very serious both men proved to have a great sense of humor.

California Attorney General Bill Lockyer Department of Justice Home Page

After Meeting Photo Op

Charan Singh Lohara, Ajitinder Singh Mofar, Simranjit Singh Mann,
Bill Lockyer, Ram Singh and Gurmeet Sigh Khalsa

Outside the Department of Justice

Ram Singh and Simranjit Singh Mann say good-bye

Ram said, "that after Bill was elected Attorney General he had to spend allot of time cleaning up after his predecessor".

Bill replied, "Yes! I call it cleaning up after the elephant".

Everyone laughed.

Back to Main Page | Arrival at SFO | Baisakhi 2000
Attorney General | Alameda County Meeting

Punjab Information
Map of Punjab
India Human Rights Links
Human Rights Watch World Report, 1999
India Policy Institute - hosts a debate on reform of the Indian political system.
Shiromani Akali Dal Human Rights Page

Brief History of Sikhs on the U.S. West Coast