Washington. Controversy has arisen in America over an advertisement of a campaign being run against those driving without a license. The US Department of Homeland Security removed the controversial post on social media platform X after protests. In the advertisement, a person using the name 'Mr. Singh' was asked to leave America. Democratic Party leaders along with Indian-American, Sikh and Hindu organizations termed it as racial and discriminatory propaganda.
The picture was made with AI
The Home Security Department had issued this advertisement as part of the campaign against those driving without license. In this, a dark complexioned man with a beard was shown in a picture prepared by artificial intelligence (AI). The message accompanying the picture read: 'Get off our roads, Mr Singh, you don't know how to drive.'
After the advertisement surfaced, Indian-American and Sikh organizations started protesting against it. Democrat leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy, also criticized the Department of Homeland Security.
Newsom's press office called the news abhorrent and accused the Trump administration of carrying out racial propaganda targeting the Sikh community.
Many organizations expressed objection
Several organizations, including the Hindu American Foundation, Sikh Coalition, Hindu Action, and Coalition of Hindus of North America, objected to the advertisement. Organizations called it against American values and having a racist message.
Hindu American Foundation welcomed the removal of the post. The organization said it had objected to the post a day earlier. However, he clarified that it is a serious matter for a federal agency to send a political message by creating a racial image of an Indian or a Sikh person. According to the organization, removing the post is just the first step and the Indian-American, Sikh, Hindu and South Asian communities expect better behavior from the government.
The department hit back at Newsom.
The Department of Homeland Security hit back at California Governor Gavin Newsom after removing the controversial ad. The department accused him of giving licenses to drive commercial vehicles to illegal immigrants. Newsom is being considered among the possible candidates for the 2028 presidential election.
Harjinder Singh's video also posted
After this the Home Security Department also posted a video of truck driver Harjinder Singh. Harjinder Singh was arrested last year after a road accident allegedly caused by an illegal U-turn. Three people died in this accident.
Another post featured Megatron, the villain from the movie 'Transformers'. In the video he was seen demanding the release of the 'aliens'. The US administration uses this term for foreign citizens. Megatron was shown demanding the release of Harjinder Singh, Rajinder Kumar, Bekzhan Byshekiev, Akhror Bozorov and Jasvir Singh. According to the department, these people have been involved in road accidents or other crimes.
The Department of Homeland Security said on Twitter that those who come to the country with intentions of hostility against America should know that America will defend itself. The department talked about protecting American values and the country.
Message of 'Leave the country yourself or face the consequences'
Another post from the department featured 'Transformers' main hero Optimus Prime. His clothes had Department of Homeland Security insignia and he appeared to be standing in front of the same bearded dark-skinned man shown in the earlier post. The message accompanying it was – 'Leave the country yourself or face the consequences.'
Why was there protest over the name 'Singh'?
Organizations including the Hindu American Foundation and the Sikh Coalition questioned the use of the name 'Mr Singh' in the advertisement. The Hindu American Foundation said that people with the Singh surname include both Hindus and Sikhs and are also American citizens. The organization called it discriminatory and targeted behavior towards Indians and demanded an investigation into the matter.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America said the law should be enforced, but no community should be portrayed as a caricature. According to the organization, dangerous drivers can be of any color, race, religion or surname. Targeting specific surnames will not make roads safer, but could instead increase danger and suspicion towards the millions of Americans with names like Singh and Kumar.
Sikh Coalition also expressed displeasure
The Sikh Coalition said that even 25 years after 9/11, the Sikh community is being targeted on the basis of its appearance and identity. The organization said that a large number of Sikhs in America have the surname Singh. 'Singh' means lion and the community will not back down on its identity.
Raja Krishnamurthy also criticized
MP Raja Krishnamurthy condemned the Home Security Department's post, saying the government should not use its power to defame people. He said a person's religion, heritage or identity does not determine whether he or she is eligible to live in the United States.
According to Krishnamurthy, the surname of more than 1.60 lakh people in America is Singh. In such a situation, targeting this name by a government agency may increase hatred towards foreigners and create suspicion towards the entire community.
Controversy amid 'CBP Home' program
This controversy came to light during the promotion of the US government's 'CBP Home' program. Under this program, immigrants who do not have the necessary documents to live in America can register to leave the country voluntarily.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, people who voluntarily register to leave the US may receive assistance with travel. besides them $2,600 farewell amount Provision for giving also has been mentioned.
Despite the removal of the controversial advertisement, the debate continues between American politics and the Indian-American community over the use of the name 'Mr Singh'.