|
US Sikh arrested, his kirpan,
turban forcibly removed
WSN Network
 CONNECTICUT: A
Sikh truck driver was arrested and his turban forcibly removed after
marshals in a Connecticut court found his kirpan on him when he went
to contest a traffic violation.
Sachdev Singh,
47, a New
Jersey resident, entered the State of Connecticut Superior Court in
Stamford June 18. While passing through security, he told the
officers that he had a five-inch kirpan under his clothing.
The kirpan, or
blade, is a religious symbol that all Sikh men wear.
As soon as he
passed under the metal detectors, he was promptly handcuffed. Both
his kirpan and turban were taken away from him forcibly, according
to the United Sikhs, a community organisation. Apparently, despite
being told repeatedly about having a "religious symbol under his
clothes", the marshals did not inquire as to what it was, only
informing him that he had to deposit his cellphone and camera with
one of the marshals.
After
questioning, Sachdev Singh's handcuffs were removed, he was allowed
to retie his turban, and then was placed under arrest for 'carrying
a dangerous weapon.' Taken to jail, he was finger printed and his
turban was again forcibly removed, United Sikhs said.
| |
SGPC writes to US envoy
The
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee has sent a letter to
the U.S Ambassador to India David Mulford concerning various
incidents that occurred recently in the U.S against Sikhs.
The body has
also sent a letter to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The
letter was prompted by reports about the Sikh truck driver in
New York who was arrested for wearing a Kirpan while entering a
Connecticut court to contest a traffic violation charge. SGPC
President Avtar Singh Makkar said that it was quite unfortunate
that attacks on Sikh identity were continuing unabated in
different corners of the world.
It is
happening despite the best efforts of their missions aboard and
Sikh diaspora to bring about an awareness among the world
community that Kirpan (small sword), hair and turban are among
the essential of Sikh faith. |
|
Sachdev Singh is
now out on bail but faces the charge of possessing a dangerous
weapon, which is punishable by up to $500 in fines or up to three
years in prison or both. 'It was a great shock that state marshals
handling security of a court of law would treat me in this manner,'
said Sachdev Singh.
'I am concerned
this incident will adversely affect my citizenship status, as I am
applying for naturalisation,' he said.
Jaspreet Singh,
staff attorney for United Sikhs, said: 'Prior case precedent in
multiple states show that the kirpan is to be treated only as an
article of faith and should never be classified as a dangerous
weapon.' Under this charge, if the edge portion of the blade exceeds
4 inches in length, it is considered "a dangerous weapon." However,
it is to be noted that the five-inch kirpan he was carrying at the
time was so dull that the "edge" could be rubbed along one's hand
without causing any harm. He was released from jail once he posted
bail.
United Sikhs is
trying to have the charges levied against Sachdev Singh dismissed
and is exploring civil remedies to ensure that a training programme
about Sikhs for the Connecticut state marshals is put into place to
prevent any future recurrence of mistreatment of a Sikh.
Sikhs in
different parts of the
US have faced
harassment over kirpan and turban, two of the five symbols of their
faith.
9
July, 2008
|
Read Also
