December 11, 2004
Sikh family's house burned by arsonistNews
Why is it that every time I write about some unfortunate Indian American family they happen to be Sikh? Just bad luck? The latest is the case of the Anands from Concord, California whose house was burned down in early September, allegedly by arson. The San Francisco Chronicle reports:
Concord police have recommended that a laborer who was working at the home next door be charged with arson and burglary in connection with the fire. The district attorney expects to make a decision within the next week or so. To support the family, a candlelit vigil was held recently at the family’s burnt-out home that brought together about 150 South Asians, neighbors, civil rights groups, and supporters from many different backgrounds who urged the district attorney to prosecute the suspect.
The Anands are thankful to the many people who have donated clothes, food, and even architectural services. Now, they are struggling to rebuild their lives.
“I can hardly sleep. I’m worried all the time what is going to happen to this family,” said father Gurcharanjeet “Don” Anand, 54. The delivery truck driver is on disability following a car accident and heart bypass surgery late last year. Thickset, with a graying beard, he is a laconic man.
But once again the question that is difficult to answer is whether or not this was a Hate Crime. The Anands suspect it MAY have been by some comments the alleged arsonist had made in prior dealings with the family.
Over three days, a man working at the house next door asked the Anands for water, and to borrow the phone. They obliged, and Minnie Anand even fixed him a plate of spaghetti when he said he was hungry. But each time, he made increasingly disturbing comments, according to the family’s pro-bono lawyer, Edwin Prather.
What made your people come here? You Indians have a lot of money. Do you own your house? You have beautiful daughters.
Sunday afternoon, the Anands turned the man away when he asked to use the phone. He left, angry. The Anands and their five children left for temple — where the bad news came that night.
Whatever the nature of the true nature of the crime was (hate vs. “normal”), AsianWeek.com reports that the South Asia Bar Association of Northern California held a happy hour fundraiser recently in support of the Anands.
Funds from the happy hour benefited SABAs work on behalf of the Anand family, the victims of a hate-crime arson last September. While authorities have not deemed the incident a hate crime, the Anands home in Concord was allegedly destroyed by a white male.
On a completely unrelated note how do you get “Don” from Gurcharanjeet.
abhi on December 11, 2004 04:20 PM in News · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
Very sad.
abhi,
((Why is it that every time I write about some unfortunate Indian American family they happen to be Sikh?))
Usually when hate crimes in America against Sikhs are reported these days it is of the 'Bin Laden' type, but in this instance the father is a Sehaj Dhari Sikh ie: One who does not wear a turban, and it seems to be more along the lines of a creepy psychopath thing ("You have beautiful daughters..."....skin crawling & spooky)
Anyway, it is nice that the family have received so much support and that their story was reported in a sympathetic manner, and that many aspects of their religious and cultural life were explained.
A Sikh family, yes, but one with a shrine to Laxmi, Ganesh, and Jesus. One that goes to Hindu Temple as well as Gurudwara. Fairly syncretistic family. This of course, has nothing to do with the crime -- the criminal would have been unaware of anything other than the brownness of the victims.