Hindu and Sikh Communities Gather for Bold New Experiment in Solidarity and Service

Phullan da Pul/Phoolon Ka Pul: A Day of Action and Togetherness on Saturday, June 14 | 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM at Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park (Smokey Park), Richmond Hill, Queens

Our Bureau

Queens, NY

In one of the most diverse corners of New York City, a new kind of community gathering is taking root. This Saturday, Sikh and Hindu neighbors in Richmond Hill are coming together not in response to tragedy or crisis—but to build something joyful, powerful, and lasting.

Phullan da Pul / Phoolon Ka Pul: A Day of Action and Togetherness is more than a cultural celebration. It’s a civic intervention—uniting communities through service, mutual support, and creative expression. Anchored by Know Your Rights trainings, a community food pantry, and culturally relevant hot meals, the event reflects a growing movement toward grassroots solidarity in a city often shaped by difference.

In a time when immigrant communities across the country are facing unprecedented federal raids, and places of worship have been stripped of their status as sanctuary spaces, the urgency of this work cannot be overstated. The local unity on display in Queens comes as national Hindu organizations have taken increasingly divisive positions—amplifying Hindu nationalist narratives, criminalizing dissent, and targeting Sikh communities in ways that build dangerous associations with extremism. While these tensions often remain under the surface, events like this one actively counter that trend, creating public space for solidarity, dignity, and mutual care.

The event is free and open to all, and will feature programming for all ages, including children’s activities, resources from local organizations, and a dynamic lineup of artists working at the intersections of tradition and activism.

“Today, Sikh and Hindu communities stand united in Queens, New York, demonstrating the power of interfaith collaboration. In partnership with Hindus for Human Rights, NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, and the NYC Commission On Human Rights, we are proud to share critical resources for immigrants, those in our communities, and our youth. We are joined in our mission to work hand-in-hand in combating hate and discrimination, fostering an inclusive city for all,” says Rucha Kaur, Managing Director of Education & Community Development at The Sikh Coalition

“This event is a beautiful opportunity to come together across lines of faith, language, and experience. In a time when division often dominates the headlines, it’s inspiring to see Sikh and Hindu communities in Richmond Hill unite in joy, service, and shared purpose. We’re honored to be part of this celebration of solidarity and community strength,” says Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director, Hindus for Human Rights

The city’s support for events like Phullan da Pul / Phoolon Ka Pul reflects a broader commitment to community-led responses to hate and bias. As Vijah Ramjattan, Executive Director of the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, noted:

“These project grants demonstrate a proactive and innovative approach to combating hate and fostering understanding and inclusivity among New York City’s diverse communities.”

Event Details

Phullan da Pul / Phoolon Ka Pul: A Day of Action and Togetherness
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM EST
Location: Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park (Smokey Park)
Atlantic Ave. at 95th Ave., between 127th St. and 125th St., Richmond Hill, Queens

Event Programming: Rooted in Service, Powered by Community

Phullan da Pul / Phoolon Ka Pul is not just a gathering—it’s an open-air community hub built for connection, care, and collective power. The day is structured around four key pillars: action, learning, culture, and care.

Know Your Rights Training
Led by legal advocates and organizers, these practical workshops equip attendees with critical knowledge about housing, immigration, policing, and civil liberties—particularly relevant to immigrant communities navigating layered systems of discrimination.
Community Food Pantry & Culturally Appropriate Hot Meal
In collaboration with local food justice partners, we’ll offer a warm, vegetarian meal cooked with community traditions in mind—served alongside a pantry of staples for attendees to take home. This is not charity—it’s nourishment rooted in dignity.
Children’s Activities
Art-making, storytelling, and play-based learning stations will welcome children of all ages. These spaces are designed to be joyful and safe—allowing families to experience the event together while children explore themes of cooperation and creativity.
Civic Resource Fair
Community organizations will be present to share information, sign people up for services, and offer clear pathways to engagement. From voter registration to health access to anti-violence networks, these tables represent the connective tissue of a thriving neighborhood.

Featured Artists: Cultural Power Meets Political Purpose

The cultural programming at Phullan da Pul / Phoolon Ka Pul doesn’t just entertain—it moves. These artists are known for work that speaks to community, resistance, and joy as political acts:

Pandita Pratima Doobay
A pioneering interfaith Hindu priest and devotional singer, Pandita Pratima brings together sacred music and social commitment. Her performances weave Vedic chants, poetry, and spoken word to affirm a vision of spiritual courage and justice-centered faith.
Sonny Singh
A cornerstone of the New York activist arts scene, Sonny makes Punjabi-Sikh music of resistance. A longtime member of the band Red Baraat, his solo work invokes the spirit of resistance and diasporic pride.
Parijat Desai
An acclaimed choreographer and cultural worker, Parijat works on activating circle dance and contemporary performance. Her work offers kinetic storytelling that grapples with identity, migration, gender, and belonging—all while inviting the audience into the rhythm of connection.

Why This Matters:

In a moment of rising political tension and interfaith misunderstanding, this event offers a model for what local community power can look like. It’s not about slogans—it’s about shared meals, shared rights, shared streets, and shared futures.

This is Queens at its best: cross-cultural, multilingual, interfaith, intergenerational—and ready to write a new story about how we live together.