WSN-US of A News-California Governor Vetoes Kirpan Bill:
"SACRAMENTO: In a surprise blow to the Sikh community, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have made it mandatory for law enforcement officers to be educated about Sikh kirpans.
The Governor’s decision came as a shock to dozens of organizations, individuals and lawmakers who supported the bill."
The veto that came Sunday night was particularly surprising given the unanimous, bipartisan votes in favor of the bill through both houses of the legislature (77-0 and 36-0 in the Assembly and Senate respectively).
“This loss for the Sikh community is a reminder of our serious lack of political clout in this state. After months of hard work and 100% support from our lawmakers, the Sikh voice was still not strong enough to overcome the whim of one man. We have been here for over 100 years. We need to learn to exercise our political muscle. It’s a shame that we haven’t been able to get even a basic education bill passed,” said Prabhjot Singh, the Sikh Coalition Board Chairman.
"SACRAMENTO: In a surprise blow to the Sikh community, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have made it mandatory for law enforcement officers to be educated about Sikh kirpans.
The Governor’s decision came as a shock to dozens of organizations, individuals and lawmakers who supported the bill."
The veto that came Sunday night was particularly surprising given the unanimous, bipartisan votes in favor of the bill through both houses of the legislature (77-0 and 36-0 in the Assembly and Senate respectively).
“This loss for the Sikh community is a reminder of our serious lack of political clout in this state. After months of hard work and 100% support from our lawmakers, the Sikh voice was still not strong enough to overcome the whim of one man. We have been here for over 100 years. We need to learn to exercise our political muscle. It’s a shame that we haven’t been able to get even a basic education bill passed,” said Prabhjot Singh, the Sikh Coalition Board Chairman.