Trump left America divided: Republican Indian-origin leader

An Indian origin Republican leader and Indiana-based Gurinder Singh Khalsa  has said that Outgoing President Donald Trump has left America more divided than ever and the country's reputation under his presidency has been damaged on the international stage which will take years to repair. "This is a democracy at work, on both sides. Whether Democrat or Republican... people are excited and want to speak out. The election's historic turnout means people are hungry to change the status quo on both sides, he said. 

"We are more polarised and divided than I have ever seen being an American for 25 years. I believe people do care who will represent them, especially in times like the COVID-19 pandemic," says influential Indian-American Sikh leader. According to PTI report 46-year-old Khalsa, though a member of Republican party, did not vote for Trump in this election or in 2016. "I do not think he is morally or ethically fit to be president, especially the leader of the free world. I came to America by choice; for dignity and respect. For the first time as an American, I have felt challenged on those values," he said.

On the election of Indian-origin Kamala Harris as Vice President of the country, Khalsa said that it gives confidence to the people of color and immigrant community."Kamala Harris is a powerful accomplishment for America and provides a ray of hope for relations with India. And her win is just the beginning," he said and alleged  that Trump's rhetoric has directly encouraged racism and sexism. "And he continues to feed into the narrative of white against black, and poor against rich," he said.

In 2007, Khalsa was refused access to board an airplane because of his turban. Thereafter, he mobilised more than 67,000 people nationwide for petitions and took the matter all the way to the US Congress, which forced the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) to change its headgear policy towards the Sikh community.