Rhythmic sounds of footsteps and chants of solidarity echoed through the Valley last week, as the “Fearless for Justice March” made its way from Merced through Livingston, Turlock and then on to the Sikh temple between Ceres and Hughson.

Described as more than a protest, this 350-mile journey stands as a living tribute to the struggles of the Sikh community, four decades after the 1984 Sikh Genocide in India. 

For many marchers, like Rajinder Singh Chauhan, the journey holds personal significance. 

A survivor of the 1984 massacre, Chauhan learned about the march through the radio. He joined the march at its starting point in Bakersfield, and is committed to completing the entire journey as a tribute to those who lost their lives. 

“I’m hoping their souls can have some peace through this march,” he said.

The marchers carried a banner explaining their mission, along with the “Nishaan Sahib,” a Sikh flag symbolizing welcome and care. 

As the march has moved through the Valley, it has brought together leaders from various communities — including Latinos, Hmong, African Americans and others.

The march is in solidarity with other marginalized voices, demonstrating the power of coalition-building across different cultural and social movements, according to Deep Singh, executive director of the Jakara Movement.

Their path is also inspired by farmworker movements of the past which made an impact on the Valley and state. The march began in Bakersfield on Oct. 9, with a strong community presence, including a launch event featuring Camila Chavez, the daughter of labor leader Dolores Huerta and niece of civil rights trailblazer Cesar Chavez. 

The destination is the State Capitol in Sacramento, where they will make a call for lasting change at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, he added.

With every mile walked, the marchers carry the weight of generations seeking justice. 

Deep Singh explained that the inspiration for the march draws from several historical movements, including the 2020 farmworker protests in India led by Punjabi Sikh farmers, as well as the United Farm Workers (UFW) marches in 1966 and 2022, where many Sikhs participated in solidarity.

“Many of us are Valley kids,” he added. “We grew up hearing about Dolores Huerta. We saw her at events. We saw Cesar Chavez. We’re very much connected to the older California history as well.”

Arrival in Hughson

In Hughson, the group arrived on Thursday evening and was welcomed at the Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) located at 5743 E. Hatch Road by a group of supporters.

In the spirit of Chardikala – the Sikh principle of maintaining a positive, ascending energy – members of the Turlock Sikh community gathered early to prepare food and drinks for the marchers arriving from Livingston. 

Personal testimonies

Deep Singh further explained that the march is not just about the Sikh community but also about building solidarity with other groups. 

“Early in the march, we were walking through farming communities, and little kids would run up to us and say ‘huelga, huelga’ (strike in Spanish),” he recalled. “I would explain to them in my broken Spanish what was going on. There was an abuela (grandmother) who got us some cold Jarritos.”

Encounters such as these, Deep Singh said, emphasize the connection between the communities in the Valley.

Each evening during the march, participants gather for Kirtan, a Sikh devotional practice of singing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, which fosters a sense of unity and spiritual connection. 

Alongside this, they engage in art workshops, legal clinics, and discussions, building community and power along the way.

Background on the genocide

In October 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star, a military offensive that targeted Sikh militants in the Golden Temple, leading to extensive damage and thousands of deaths.

In the aftermath, anti-Sikh violence erupted in New Delhi and other cities, with coordinated attacks reportedly incited by political leaders from the ruling Congress Party. Thousands of Sikhs were killed, homes and businesses destroyed, and women assaulted, while police were accused of complicity.

More recently, the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader in Canada, raised concerns about transnational repression linked to the Indian government. 

This has alarmed Sikh communities, particularly in California’s Central Valley, home to some of the oldest Gurdwaras in the U.S. and the largest concentration of Sikhs in the country. 

The FBI and local law enforcement warned several Sikh Americans of threats, which culminated in an indictment against an Indian national involved in assassination plots targeting Sikh activists in the U.S.

Legislative efforts for recognition and protection

As the march progresses, it continues to raise awareness about transnational repression and to push for legislative changes, both at the federal and state levels. 

“We are working to pass laws to protect against these repressive tactics and to help educate people about the issue,” said Deep Singh.

A key goal of the Fearless for Justice March is to achieve federal recognition of the 1984 Sikh Genocide by the U.S. Congress. 

This follows the passage of AJR2 in 2023, a significant milestone in California, where the state officially recognized the 1984 anti-Sikh violence as genocide. 

The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Jasmeet Bains, D-Delano, marking the first time a U.S. state had acknowledged the events as genocide.

Beyond genocide recognition, the march also seeks to address ongoing threats of transnational repression, where foreign governments, including India, have targeted Sikh activists abroad. 

Activists are pushing for the passage of a Transnational Repression Protections Bill at both the federal and state levels. 

One of the legislative efforts tied to this is the Stop Transnational Repression Act (H.R. 5907), introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Los Angeles.

This bill aims to safeguard U.S. residents from foreign interference and repression, which has become a growing concern for the Sikh community, particularly in the wake of recent assassination plots and threats.

The march will culminate at the Capitol Mall in Sacramento on Nov. 1, with a final rally from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will bring together marchers, community members, and elected officials to discuss the future of justice for Sikh Americans and other marginalized groups.

For more information on the march, including its route and events, visit the Jakara Movement’s official website: Fearless for Justice March.

— Christian De Jesus Betancourt is with the CV Journalism Collaborative. Courier reporter Joe Cortez contributed to this report.