Hindus Pleased CA Bill On Repression By Foreign Govts., Fails

Photo: Assembly member Jasmeet Bains

India-West Staff Reporter

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Assembly Bill 3027, known as the “Transnational Repression Bill,” failed to advance from the State Senate Appropriations Committee on August 15, effectively ending its progress for the year. This bill sought to create a training program for law enforcement to identify and address “transnational repression” by foreign governments.

Introduced by Democrat Jasmeet Bains, California’s only Sikh legislator, the bill was motivated by concerns over the killing of Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June 2023. It aimed to address repression from countries like Russia, China, Iran, and India, which allegedly target dissidents abroad. Despite its bipartisan support and backing from various law enforcement agencies, the bill faced significant opposition from Indian American advocacy groups.

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and the Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA) argued that the bill was problematic for several reasons. They contended that it unfairly targeted Indian Americans by grouping India with authoritarian regimes like Russia and Iran without acknowledging the threat posed by pro-Khalistan extremism. This extremism, they argued, has led to violence and vandalism against Hindu communities in California and across North America, including attacks on temples and the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.

In response to the bill’s defeat, HAF highlighted that the bill, similar to the previously controversial SB403 caste bill, implicitly targeted Indian Americans and failed to address the real threat of pro-Khalistan violence. HAF praised its efforts, including lobbying and educating lawmakers about the Khalistan movement’s extremism.

CoHNA also celebrated the bill’s failure, emphasizing their opposition and advocacy efforts. They argued that the bill was redundant since federal laws already address transnational repression, and criticized it for not adequately addressing the threats faced by Hindu communities.

The bill’s defeat has sparked a broader discussion on how California addresses transnational repression and the balance between state and federal roles in protecting residents from foreign influence and violence.