Sikh student's turban set afire in US

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Posted online: Tuesday , May 13, 2008 at 01:42:14
Updated: Tuesday , May 13, 2008 at 01:42:14

New York, May 13: The Sikh community in New Jersey has demanded a full fledged inquiry into an incident in which a high school student allegedly set afire the 'patka' or small turban worn by a fellow Sikh student, in an unprovoked attack.

The student suffered minor burns but it has raised outrage in the Sikh community which has also asked the school to do more to combat discrimination.

The culprit, identified as an 18-year-old Hightstown senior Garrett Green, was arrested hours later and charged with arson and criminal mischief. He has also been suspended from the school.

Police is investigating the incident which occurred on May 5 in Hightstown High School in Mercer County in New Jersey during a fire drill.

The Sikh student, who is a teenager and would not like to be identified, was chatting with a fellow student when Green, whom he did not know, came up from behind and set "patka" on fire using a lighter.

A teacher helped him to put out the fire. The "patka," shown by his relatives, had at least two big burn holes.

"No mother should have to worry that her child could be hurt at school because of the way he looks," said Sukhjot Kaur, the teenager's mother.

The Sikh Coalition, a community organisation, urged the School to take immediate steps to address the concerns of the community.

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Sikh Student's Turban Set on Fire at School and other hate crimes by Balbir Singh Sooch, Advocate, Ludhiana on 14 May 2008

Sikh Student's Turban Set on Fire at School-It is being requested to find out whether the act of a fellow student to set fire to the turban/patka worn by the Sikh teenager in an unprovoked attack at school is a part of like other hate crimes? If yes, then it is very sad story of advanced society to which the student belongs. Is it a part of human tendency to behave like simpletons so poorly all over the World? The more research work of the background of the student committed the crime inhumanly is required to be done instead of getting outraged and behaving in the same fashion. Hope that advanced society/ counties would take serious notice of all this in order to make it an example for providing justice through the research work and action so that all should feel that entire human race is one and equal by all means. Submission by Balbir Singh Sooch, Chief and Spokesperson, Sikh Vichar Manch, Ludhiana-www.sikhvicharmanch.com

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