GAINESVILLE - In light of the Wisconsin shooting, TV 20 spoke to people of the Sikh religion in our community.

 

Jasbir Bhatia from the Sikh Society of Central Florida asked, "where are we going as a nation?" 

 

The FBI is calling the shooting in Wisconsin an act of "domestic terror" and on the heels of the shooting in Colorado, Bhatia wondered when the terror was going to end.

 

"It's not only an attak on the Sikh community, it is an attack on the very definition of America," Bhatia said.

 

A UF Engineering master's student from India told TV 20 that the definition of America should include the Sikh community.

 

"Sikhs are not separate. We are all Americans," the student said. "There are many Sikhs who have served in the U.S. Army, many are dentists and entrepreneurs."

 

He went on to say that he is, "shocked and sad because how could someone hurt a community that has always helped people?"

 

He said the Sikh religion promotes the ideas of peace, harmony, and the observation of one God. 

 

One of their guiding principals is "loving thy neighbor," the student said.

 

After the shooting spree that took the lives of six innocent people, several Sikh members in our community say they have mixed feelings about how they fit into the nation.

 

Some told TV 20 they question the direction of the United States.

 

The UF Student said that's he has some hope for the roles of Sikhs in the community. 

 

"Sometimes people don't really know exactly what the Sikhs are, but in Gainesville I have never really faced any kind of situation because people in Gainesville know we are Sikhs and are open minded and educated," he said.