IndiaPost.com - Hillary cancels Sikh fundraiser

NEW YORK: A canceled Sikh-American fundraiser for Senator Hillary Clinton, in Bakersfield, California has created a bit of a controversy for the Presidential hopeful. The $1 million fundraiser that the Sikhs of Bakersfield had planned out for Nov 18, ended up being abruptly cancelled with no credible explanation given -- at least immediately.

According to the New York Sun which first reported the story, the $1000 a-plate breakfast event was believed to have been cancelled "for security reasons." Quoting one of the organizers, the newspaper said, the fundraiser was cancelled for security reasons; and she (Clinton) would not elaborate on the problem, but hoped to stage the event later.

The newspaper said a Democratic Party official in Kern County, California had said the fundraiser ran into trouble because the Secret Service would not "clear" one of the organizers of the gathering. "One of the promoters had recently been to India.

His hometown is on the Pakistani border and he crossed into Pakistan," the Kern County Democratic Chair, Candi Easter, was quoted as saying. Even as the highly disappointed Sikh community in Bakersfield vocally expressed its resentment at being stood up by the Democratic frontrunner in the presidential race, a Campaign Spokesperson Jin Chon released a clarifying statement on the issue on Nov 20: "Hillary Clinton has been a longtime friend of the Sikh community," he said.

"Unfortunately, the campaign had to postpone the fundraiser in Bakersfield due to scheduling reasons." Hillary Clinton has been one of the most visible and vocal senators on issues important to the Sikh community, he said. "In fact, she personally met with the Sikh community after several hate crimes occurred in the aftermath of September 11th," Chon said.

"She has also attended many events hosted by the Sikh community, including the Sikh Council on Religion and Education's annual dinner. Hillary Clinton is proud of the support she has within the Sikh community and will continue to work with all Americans to bring about the change that this country needs."