BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Bakersfield City Council proclaimed April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month in Bakersfield during its Wednesday meeting.

There are more than 35,000 Sikhs in Bakersfield and 250,000 Sikhs in California, making up 50% of the Sikh population in the U.S., according to the proclamation read by Mayor Karen Goh.

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She asked the Bakersfield community to celebrate the Bakersfield Sikh community’s contributions to agriculture, trucking, small businesses, health care and more, as well as the history, culture and shared experiences of Sikh Americans.

April is meaningful for Sikhs across the world as the month of Vaisakhi. In 1699, the 10th guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa, a brotherhood and sisterhood rooted in courage, devotion and service.

The Bakersfield Sikh community thanked Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur for supporting and encouraging the community and advocating for them.

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