barublogThe Incident Racial Profiling on a Greyhound Bus
Daljeet Singh, a Sikh asylum seeker from India, faced false accusations of making bomb threats while traveling on a Greyhound bus in Texas. Arrested and detained for 30 hours, he was later cleared of all charges.
“My Only Crime Was Wearing a Turban”
Mr. Singh, who wears a turban and beard as part of his Sikh faith, described the experience as deeply traumatic. “The only crime I committed was wearing a turban, having a beard, and speaking a different language,” he stated, highlighting the prejudice he faced.
Fabricated Allegations Lead to Unlawful Detention
A fellow passenger profiled Mr. Singh, falsely claiming he discussed a bomb threat with another passenger. This baseless claim led to his unlawful restraint by other passengers until law enforcement arrived. Local news outlets then falsely linked Mr. Singh to terrorism charges.
Sikh Coalition Steps In – Fighting for Justice
The Sikh Coalition filed complaints against the passenger who fabricated the allegations and others who unlawfully detained Mr. Singh. Senior Staff Attorney Gurjot Kaur emphasized, “Bigotry and xenophobia cannot trump common sense.”
Ongoing Challenges for Sikhs in America
Even 15 years after 9/11, Sikhs face increased profiling and backlash in the U.S. Despite Sikhism being the fifth-largest religion globally and part of American culture for over 125 years, misconceptions persist about Sikh articles of faith like the turban and beard.
Combating Prejudice with Awareness
Daljeet Singh’s case underscores the need for greater understanding and accountability in combating racial and religious profiling. His story is a call to action for tolerance, equality, and justice for all.
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