A suspect has been arrested in a brutal attack on a 70-year-old Sikh man who was bludgeoned with a golf club in North Hollywood earlier this month and remains unconscious and in critical condition, authorities said.

The victim’s brother and members of the Sikh community have praised the arrest but question why the assault is not being investigated as a hate crime.

Harpal Singh was taking his daily walk near the Sikh Gurdwara of Los Angeles on Aug. 4 when he was violently attacked, according to the Sikh Coalition. He suffered a skull fracture and internal bleeding in the brain and has undergone multiple surgeries, his family says.

On Tuesday, L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell announced that Richard Batagliano, 44, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting Singh with a deadly weapon. Officers

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