Advertisement

Updated January 8th, 2022 at 14:57 IST

Indian-origin Sikh taxi driver assaulted, his turban knocked off by unidentified man at JFK Airport

Indian-origin Sikh taxi driver assaulted, his turban knocked off by unidentified man at JFK Airport

| Image:self
Advertisement

New York, Jan 8 (PTI) In a yet another case of suspected hate crime, an Indian-origin Sikh taxi driver in the US has been assaulted by an unidentified man, who knocked off his turban and also used expletives against him outside the JFK International Airport here, according to a video on social media.

The undated 26-second video was uploaded by Navjot Pal Kaur on micro-blogging site Twitter on January 4, showing a man assaulting the Sikh taxi driver outside the airport. She said the video was shot by a bystander at the airport.

Advertisement

The person can be heard allegedly using expletives against the victim. He repeatedly hits and punches him and knocks off his turban.

“This video was taken by a bystander at John F. Kennedy International Airport. I do not own the rights to this video. But I just wanted to highlight the fact that hatred continues to remain in our society and unfortunately I’ve seen Sikh cab drivers get assaulted again and again,” Kaur tweeted.

Advertisement

Further details about the driver or the cause of the incident were not available.

The video led to angry reactions by the community members.

Advertisement

“Another Sikh cab driver assaulted. This one at JFK Airport in NYC. So upsetting to see. But it’s crucial that we don’t look away… What I am sure of is how painful it is to watch our fathers and elders get assaulted while they’re just trying to live an honest life.

“For those who aren’t Sikh, I can’t put into words what it means to have your turban knocked off — or to see someone else’s turban knocked off. It’s visceral and gut-wrenching and just so disheartening to witness,” Simran Jeet Singh, author and Director for the Aspen Institute’s Inclusive America Project, tweeted.

Advertisement

The National Sikh Campaign said, “we are only a few days into the new year and there has already been a hate crime committed against a Sikh. A bystander recorded an unidentified man attacking a Sikh taxi driver, ultimately knocking off the driver’s turban.” “No additional details have been released outside of the video, but we know this story too well. A Sikh person goes about their daily lives only to be senselessly attacked by someone. Common road rage between people can escalate when someone who is ignorant of who we are takes their disdain for our turbans and becomes violent,” it said.

This is not the first time a Sikh taxi driver has been assaulted in the US.

Advertisement

An Indian-origin Sikh Uber driver was in 2019 assaulted and racially abused in the US state of Washington in a suspected hate crime. The driver told the police that he believes his race promoted the attack.

In 2017, a 25-year-old Sikh cab driver in New York was assaulted and his turban knocked off by drunk passengers. PTI YAS RS AKJ RS RS

Advertisement

Published January 8th, 2022 at 14:57 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

former dsp shailendra singh revealed criminal activity of Mukhtar Ansari
2 minutes ago
TCS 'cash for jobs' scam
5 minutes ago
IBL Finance IPO
9 minutes ago
Congress Press Conference
9 minutes ago
Virat Kohli keeps a close watch on Gautam Gambhir
11 minutes ago
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE
15 minutes ago
Good Friday
16 minutes ago
Life Insurance Corporation
16 minutes ago
Kerala Nirmal Lottery Sambad Friday Result
21 minutes ago
US Federal Reserve
22 minutes ago
Airbrush Brow Trend: Know Its Benefits, Procedure, And More
26 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo