Gurdial Singh, brother of Harpal Singh, calls for community support and accountability following a violent assault that left Harpal in critical condition in North Hollywood.
On a recent Tuesday afternoon, Gurdial Singh ji reached out to share distressing news regarding his brother, Harpal Singh ji, who was violently assaulted in the parking lot of a 7-11 in North Hollywood. This incident occurred just a short distance from the local Gurdwara where Harpal had been staying.
The call was in relation to a preliminary hearing scheduled for the following day. Gurdial ji informed me that the defendant would be present, and the District Attorney would outline the charges against him. He was rallying local sangat members to attend the hearing as a show of support for his family. However, I was taken aback when the conversation shifted from the hearing details to food.
Gurdial ji expressed his desire to ensure that no one attending the hearing would go hungry. He planned to bring paronthey (stuffed or layered pan-fried flatbread) and daahi (yogurt) and asked if he should also bring sabji (vegetables). Given the personal tragedy his family was enduring, I found it remarkable that his thoughts were focused on the well-being of others. Yet, having gotten to know the family over the past few weeks, I should not have been surprised.
For several weeks, I have been in contact with Gurdial Singh ji and his family regarding the assault. Like many others, I was deeply affected by the video showing Harpal Singh ji with blood streaming down his face, a clear indication of the brutal beating he had suffered. Although I did not know Harpal Singh ji personally, his composed demeanor, sitting cross-legged in the midst of such chaos, conveyed a sense of quiet strength and resilience in the face of senseless violence.
As the Executive Director of SALDEF and a resident of North Hollywood, I am familiar with the area where the assault took place. My husband works nearby, and we both have engaged in conversations with neighbors and members of the sangat about Harpal Singh and the broader North Hollywood community. Through these discussions, a vivid picture of Harpal Singh ji emerges.
Harpal Singh ji was a devout Gursikh who dedicated himself to serving both his sangat and the wider North Hollywood community. Community members fondly recall his acts of kindness, such as feeding birds, providing meals to the needy, and assisting those in distress. Many remember seeing him on his daily walks, embodying the values he lived by.
Harpal Singh’s family exemplifies these same values. Conversations with the Bhai Sahibs at the North Hollywood Gurdwara revealed that Gurdial Singh ji often arrives as early as 4 a.m. to perform seva (selfless service). Therefore, it was not surprising that, just a day before the hearing—when the family would confront the man accused of brutally attacking their loved one—their focus remained on the community.
Currently, the case is under investigation by the LAPD. The preliminary hearing initially scheduled for August 27 was postponed to September 2, when evidence will be presented by the District Attorney’s office.
Despite Harpal Singh ji remaining in critical condition and unable to advocate for himself, the LAPD Chief of Police has publicly characterized the attack as a “property dispute.” This statement has raised concerns within the community, as it seems not only premature but also inconsistent with the Harpal Singh ji that many have come to know. Unless there are witnesses who can clarify the events leading up to the assault or evidence to support this claim, the facts surrounding the incident remain unclear. Our community deserves to know the truth about what transpired that afternoon. Harpal Singh’s family deserves accountability, and our sangat, which has shown remarkable grace and resilience in the face of violence, deserves a legal system that respects their dignity rather than dismisses their pain.
As we navigate this imperfect legal system, my sincere hope is that the eventual verdict will reflect the reality of the situation and that Harpal Singh’s family, along with our community, will receive the answers we urgently seek.
Above all, we demand the truth regarding what happened to Harpal Singh ji on the afternoon of August 4, 2025, in North Hollywood, CA.
Source: Original article