Bellerose Sikh running for office to give South Asians a voice
Swaranjit Singh raised more money in last six months than any other non−incumbent Council candidate
By Howard Koplowitz
Comment
 |
| Bellerose resident Swaranjit Singh, a candidate for City Council, says South Asians should have a greater voice in city politics. Photo by Howard Koplowitz |
Swaranjit Singh wants the city to hear the concerns of South Asians, and he is giving 102,000 reasons why it should.
Singh, a Bellerose resident, Community Board 13 member and candidate for City Councilman David Weprin’s (D−Hollis) seat, raised $102,171 in the last six months for his campaign — the largest amount raised in that period for any non−incumbent Council candidate in the city, according to city Campaign Finance Board records.
In conjunction with his campaign, Singh said he plans to found a citywide political group to give South Asians a bigger say in city politics.
The so−called Roti Club, named after the Indian bread eaten by South Asians and Indo−Caribbeans, was thought up by Abhijit Rikhy — Singh’s son, who serves as his campaign treasurer and consultant.
“That’s our commonality and people get together based on their common interests and that’s our common interest,” said Rikhy, 26.
“My biggest goal is to unite the roti−eating people. Only when we are united, that’s the way we can get any [political] positions,” Singh said during an interview last week at his Bellerose real estate office. “Once the people are united, then we can have a representative in the Assembly, state Senate. We can make a difference in the mayoral election, comptroller election.”
Aside from his real estate business, Singh, who moved to the United States from India in 1982 and has lived in the council district since 1988, also teaches tolerance, diversity and respect for other cultures to community groups and corporations.
The Bellerose resident said he turned to President Barack Obama’s election as inspiration for his campaign.
“Change is already happening in the country and we’re taking it to the local level now,” he said, noting that the South Asian population in the district he is running in — Bellerose, Glen Oaks, New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Queens Village and parts of Fresh Meadows, Bayside, Cambria Heights and Douglaston — increased to 34.7 percent in 2008 from 25 percent in 2000.
Singh’s goal is to raise $180,000 for the Council race and he is more than halfway there.
“I haven’t even touched the tip of the iceberg,” he said, noting that he has only held two fund−raisers so far and has yet to start a Web site.
Nearly 97 percent of his 681 campaign contributions are from Sikhs in the district and Richmond Hill, but Singh said he would be a representative for the all the people who live in the district.
“I’m not becoming a councilman for my community,” he said, referring to South Asians.
Even with his large war chest, Singh pegged himself as an “underdog” because he would be running against state Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D−Little Neck), who announced he was interested in the seat to be closer to his family and to have more of an influence over the city’s education policy.
Weprin’s younger brother, David Weprin, is running for comptroller, making the seat an open one in November.
“For me to run against a Weprin name, I have to work three times harder,” Singh said. “They have Democratic Party support, district leaders’ support and a recognizable name. Breaking that barrier is very hard work.”
Singh also acknowledged that he may have difficulty with being perceived as a terrorist or a Muslim because of his long beard and turban. Sikhs are frequently confused with the Taliban because of their attire, even though the turban is only worn by Sikhs, and they have been victims of numerous hate crimes following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
“People might think I’m part of the Taliban or a first cousin to Osama,” he said. “I have nothing to do with the Taliban or Osama.” I have to educate my fellow New Yorkers that I’m a Sikh and that my religion is Sikhism.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e−mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 173.
Singh, a Bellerose resident, Community Board 13 member and candidate for City Councilman David Weprin’s (D−Hollis) seat, raised $102,171 in the last six months for his campaign — the largest amount raised in that period for any non−incumbent Council candidate in the city, according to city Campaign Finance Board records.
In conjunction with his campaign, Singh said he plans to found a citywide political group to give South Asians a bigger say in city politics.
The so−called Roti Club, named after the Indian bread eaten by South Asians and Indo−Caribbeans, was thought up by Abhijit Rikhy — Singh’s son, who serves as his campaign treasurer and consultant.
“That’s our commonality and people get together based on their common interests and that’s our common interest,” said Rikhy, 26.
“My biggest goal is to unite the roti−eating people. Only when we are united, that’s the way we can get any [political] positions,” Singh said during an interview last week at his Bellerose real estate office. “Once the people are united, then we can have a representative in the Assembly, state Senate. We can make a difference in the mayoral election, comptroller election.”
Aside from his real estate business, Singh, who moved to the United States from India in 1982 and has lived in the council district since 1988, also teaches tolerance, diversity and respect for other cultures to community groups and corporations.
The Bellerose resident said he turned to President Barack Obama’s election as inspiration for his campaign.
“Change is already happening in the country and we’re taking it to the local level now,” he said, noting that the South Asian population in the district he is running in — Bellerose, Glen Oaks, New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Queens Village and parts of Fresh Meadows, Bayside, Cambria Heights and Douglaston — increased to 34.7 percent in 2008 from 25 percent in 2000.
Singh’s goal is to raise $180,000 for the Council race and he is more than halfway there.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nearly 97 percent of his 681 campaign contributions are from Sikhs in the district and Richmond Hill, but Singh said he would be a representative for the all the people who live in the district.
“I’m not becoming a councilman for my community,” he said, referring to South Asians.
Even with his large war chest, Singh pegged himself as an “underdog” because he would be running against state Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D−Little Neck), who announced he was interested in the seat to be closer to his family and to have more of an influence over the city’s education policy.
Weprin’s younger brother, David Weprin, is running for comptroller, making the seat an open one in November.
“For me to run against a Weprin name, I have to work three times harder,” Singh said. “They have Democratic Party support, district leaders’ support and a recognizable name. Breaking that barrier is very hard work.”
Singh also acknowledged that he may have difficulty with being perceived as a terrorist or a Muslim because of his long beard and turban. Sikhs are frequently confused with the Taliban because of their attire, even though the turban is only worn by Sikhs, and they have been victims of numerous hate crimes following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
“People might think I’m part of the Taliban or a first cousin to Osama,” he said. “I have nothing to do with the Taliban or Osama.” I have to educate my fellow New Yorkers that I’m a Sikh and that my religion is Sikhism.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e−mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 173.
 |
 |
|
| Monserrate pays PR firm to boost image | Blaze hits Baybridge Co−ops |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yournabe.com.
Concerned wrote on Feb 5, 2009 12:12 PM:
" 97% of funds from the Sikh Community?!!!
I hope he loses. The last thing we need is someone who only represents the interests on one community. His message is less about inclusiveness and more about division. "
I hope he loses. The last thing we need is someone who only represents the interests on one community. His message is less about inclusiveness and more about division. "
Kevin Lee wrote on Feb 6, 2009 3:30 PM:
" Obama won mainly because of the black voters and the same could be said about Singh. "
Mr. Engineer wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:52 PM:
" Thank you for coming forward and giving the community a voice. "
Concerned Citizen wrote on Feb 6, 2009 11:02 PM:
" Indian community has great contribution in every field in our country. I welcome indians in the politics also. Sikhs have suffered alot since 911, hopefully more sikh faces in the government would make things better for the Sikh Community. "
gully wrote on Feb 8, 2009 12:28 AM:
" He's not looking to divide anything. 97% funds from Sikhs show support and if people werent so racist, then the money he raised would be from a majority of groups. Since its not, our own people have to support him because if we dont, then who will? i am glad he is running. we need some representation and yes i agree with the fact the we have suffered a lot since 911 and now it is our time to show the community that we shouldnt be judged by our appearance.
Good luck! "
Good luck! "
Steve Weinstein wrote on Feb 8, 2009 8:15 AM:
" Wish you all the best. Although, have a focus on your whole region that your running from. Again good luck. "
A sikh and a Citizen wrote on Feb 9, 2009 6:24 AM:
" Hey, give the man support based on his views and policies. So far, reading this, it appears he is for some values/ideas the society can find useful. And yes, all americans need to shed mistrust of simple dresses like Turbans and stop asociating that with Osama. So many criminals come wearing a baseball cap, yet you don't start hating a cap. Thanks to popular images in media over the last few years, we only end up hating turbans and beards and mistakenly associate these with muslims. This way we only hurt our intelligence, not the terrorist threat. Give this man a chance based on his talk and action, don't judge him. Ask him about policies and his execution plans and decide. Cheers. "
Sikh wrote on Feb 17, 2009 11:38 AM:
" This man is going to help the fellow punjabi people in NY so I hope that he gets a lot of votes. - A prayer from the temple Guru Sant Sagar in Bellerose NY. "
Balbir Singh Sooch wrote on Feb 22, 2009 2:14 PM:
" Swaranjit Singh -To remove any apprehensions and the misgivings about your identity of being of a Sikh from religion Sikhism, you can refer our Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, a turbaned Sikh and an exceptional personality as one of the renowned economists of the world, to whom the educated fellow New Yorkers must be knowing and also remind them about him during the campaign. I feel so, rest, you may know better.
Moreover, the idea of Roti Club, thought up by your son, Abhijit Rikhy who serves as your campaign treasurer and consultant would help to achieve your biggest goal to unite the roti−eating people to get the [political] positions. In addition to it, your determination, provided services to South Asians and the keen interest as you want the city to hear the concerns of South Asians, and by giving 102,000 reasons why it should plus the fund raising capacity for the well-beings of all for the elections as per the principles enshrined our religion Sikhism, will definitely contribute to your success. Let us hope, you may prove Obama. "
Moreover, the idea of Roti Club, thought up by your son, Abhijit Rikhy who serves as your campaign treasurer and consultant would help to achieve your biggest goal to unite the roti−eating people to get the [political] positions. In addition to it, your determination, provided services to South Asians and the keen interest as you want the city to hear the concerns of South Asians, and by giving 102,000 reasons why it should plus the fund raising capacity for the well-beings of all for the elections as per the principles enshrined our religion Sikhism, will definitely contribute to your success. Let us hope, you may prove Obama. "
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff after appearing on the Web site.
|
Jaswinder Singh wrote on Feb 5, 2009 11:42 AM: