NORWICH, Conn. (Diya TV) — This month, the state of Connecticut saw its its first Sikh mayor sworn in, a milestone that has also sparked a heated national debate about faith, culture and civic identity in America. Swarnjit Singh (also known as Swarnjit Singh Khalsa), is a 40-year-old Democrat that recently won the mayoral race in Norwich, one of the oldest cities in the United States. Soon after his victory, a short video clip circulating online ignited backlash. The post claimed Singh displayed a Sikh flag in his mayoral office and planned to recognize 53 cultural days in 2026. Critics said the move challenged American civic traditions. Supporters called it a reflection of inclusion.
Singh is the first Sikh to serve as mayor of Norwich. He defeated Republican Tracy Gould and independent candidate Marcia Wilbur after first entering local politics as a city council member in 2021. Norwich has a long colonial history. The city is also home to a small Sikh population of about 10 families. Singh’s election has drawn national attention because of both his background and his public comments about culture and faith.
In the video that went viral, Singh said the Sikh flag in his office serves as a reminder of his values. He also spoke about acknowledging dozens of cultural days. One of them is Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, which marks the birth of a key Sikh leader from the 17th century. The reaction online was swift and divided. Several X users accused Singh of promoting identity politics. Some argued that recognizing many cultural days weakens civic unity. Others questioned why a religious flag would appear in a mayor’s office.
One widely shared post described the plan as “bureaucratic balkanization.” Another claimed the city was prioritizing foreign religious observances over American traditions. Critics also raised concerns about assimilation and immigration. Some comments targeted Democrats more broadly. One user wrote that American holidays should come first and that the American flag should remain the central symbol in public offices. Others questioned whether recognizing Sikh holidays could lead to similar demands from other faiths.
Not all responses were negative. Some people who said they live near Norwich expressed support for Singh. They said religious expression is acceptable if it does not exclude others. Several noted that recognizing cultural days does not mean eliminating Christmas or other national holidays.
Singh has not announced plans to remove American symbols from city buildings. Supporters argue that cultural recognition events already exist in many U.S. cities and often aim to bring communities together.
Singh notes on his website that he was born in New Delhi and after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, his family moved to Punjab. He studied engineering at DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology before moving to the United States on a student visa in 2007. He later earned a master’s degree in Computer Science from New Jersey Institute of Technology.
After settling in Norwich in 2010, Singh became involved in the community. He owned the Norwichtown Shell gas station for more than a decade. He later served on the Norwich Board of Education and several city commissions, including the Inland Wetland Commission and the Commission on the City Plan. He also worked as director of the Norwich Community Development Corp. Singh lives in the Norwichtown neighborhood with his wife, Guntas, and their two daughters. The couple married in 2009.
Singh has been openly critical of India, stating to the Norwich Bulletin in 2019 that “it’s not that easy after you spend some time in America and see all of the liberties and freedom here, you don’t get that in India.”
The Times of India reported Singh dismissed the two arson attempts on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco first reported by Diya TV as a means for the Government of India to defame Sikhs, despite surveillance footage to the contrary showing there were 10 persons of interest with a Sikh background involved in the initial attack.
In addition to spearheading a number of Sikh awareness initiatives throughout Connecticut, he had a sign posted in Norwich listing Amritsar as a town in Punjab, rather than in the country of India like other nations.
