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The three -- Gulbag Singh, Davinder Singh and Iqbal Singh -- had boarded the plane in Sacramento on November 15 after being cleared by the security.
In a complaint letter to the Airways, 'United Sikhs' protested the incident and warned it of legal action unless prompt amends are made.
The group pointed to the severity of the racial profiling and discriminatory treatment, sought an apology and compensation for the three and offered training for US Airways staff.
The three, who had boarded the plane for Salt Lake City, Utah, were sitting together in the rear of the aircraft, in their assigned seats.
After having been on the plane for approximately ten minutes, they were approached by one of the ticket-reception desk workers and asked to exit the plane.
While none of the three could adequately comprehend or speak English, the group complied and exited the aircraft, the United Sikhs said.
When it became apparent that the group was unable to converse with US Airways representatives, a Punjabi interpreter was called to assist, it said.
The interpreter informed Iqbal Singh, on behalf of the US Airways representatives, that the pilot was refusing to fly if they were onboard the aircraft, it added.
When Iqbal Singh asked why, the US Airways representatives were unable to give a clear answer, and the interpreter went on to persuade the three not to raise any objection because it could lead to more problems, the organisation said.
The trio, having become concerned, fearful, and worried about what had happened, took the only option they were given, which was to stay the night in a hotel and depart on a Delta Airlines flight the following morning to Salt Lake City, it added.
Terming the treatment "discriminatory and publicly humiliating", Gulbag Singh said, "I would like to ask the average American to think about how they would feel if they were cleared by security, were sitting on their plane, and then were asked to leave for no good reason. It is ridiculous that a person should be submitted to such second class treatment."
"Sikhs will not stand to be discriminated against. There is no satisfactory justification for US Airways to treat people in this way. This is a clear violation of civil rights and they must take immediate actions to address this issue," said Harpreet Singh, Legal Director of United Sikhs.
In a separate incident on November 17, 2008 at Logan International airport in Boston, it said, one Jaspal Singh was sent to secondary screening where he was subjected to humiliating treatment when a Transportation Security Officer roughly searched his turban, almost untying it.
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I am Indian but I am catholic I have been working for american eagle airlines as a first officer for 3 years I see no discrimination.....
this is a complete insult to asians everywhere especially to those of a faith which has itself been the victim of islamic oppression. To those who question the religiousness, loyalty, and capability of manmohan singh you have no idea, this is the man who was the architect of the indian economic miracle and is in firm control of india and her economy. As a hindu sikhs are my brothers in faith, ppl who have fought side by side against foreign oppression and whose guru died to protect my faith. 1984 was an absolute tragedy but those who colour all hindu sikh relations with this brush are whitewashing 300 years of brotherhood. I certainly hope united airlines pays a heavy price for this insult. They have already lost me as customer.
Does anyone know who the pilot was? Are there any passengers around who were on that flight who can shed more light on why the men were suspect? Were flight attendants "fearful" as well?
Incidents like this, either due to ignorance or due to racial profiling, is humiliating to the victims. But it is not only in the USA or in France this kind of treatment happens but in India as well , to its own citizens. In this very edition there is a report on how Dalits defied a ten yr ban for entry in a temple with police protection and the Dist Collector's intervention. The treatement meted out to Muslims, by denying houses for lease/purchase in certain towns/ localities is of the same nature. So the mindset is the same whether it is in India or in the USA; only the actors and the the victims vary.
Pseduo secularists of India! See what the westeners preach about human rights to other countries, they wont follow for themselves.
This is obviously a problem of confusion - the pilot thought that the Sikhs were Muslim terrorists. The Americans badly need an educational program, showing them the difference between the various ethnicities and their way of dressing etc.
Either way they should not be discriminated against. Most Muslims aren't terrorists either. What made the pilot think they were terrorists of ANY kind? Fear and ignorance.
as a muslim, i can truly say i know how it feels. i hope the sikh organizations band together and go after this stupid airway and i hope it goes bankrupt. what an idiotic thing to do at a time like this.morons.
I am american, and i agree with most of your thoughts on our country, and its people. However what you must realize it is the fault of our government and our media that this sad trend of discrimination is happening. Our government no longer does what the people want, Their rich, and powerful, become more rich and powerful and we can do nothing.they own the media and only tell us lies, we must rely on foreign news sources to get truth. There is a large group of americans who are sick of this and are spreading the message every day.Our government relies on putting fear into the people in order to control them, we are working to restore truth, Google "ron paul" to find out more about these people.not all of us are stupid, but we can't compete with the corruption in power in our country.Peace and equality to all!
India has everything. Brains, right attitude to nature (chipko movement, worshiping trees, not plundering forests and other life forms), kindness (vegetarianism, Jain, Buddhist and Hindu reverence for all life), tolerance to all religions, optimism (movies, color, noise, festivals), resources (richness of soil, weather, coastal areas, himalayan heights). What we lack is the knowledge that we are indeed cultured when we consider the best in ourselves. But we also have a dark side that is in ascendancy for some time now. We lack will and national confidence. We do not know we have the strengths. We have to go back and trust our heritage and be a little quieter, more willing to listen to others, kinder to each other everywhere in our daily lives, a behave with dignity and elen even under pressure. We need to resist being like others and genuinely give up our discriminatory (caste-based, hierarchy minded) , subservient (read colonial) mindset. May we be more serene
Obviously the pilot himself is not the only one to blame. Yes he's the one that instigated the situation but the other employees who allowed for this discrimination to carry out are of equal blame. Apparently even the dumb interpreter, who was Sikh, told the the three gentlemen that the pilot wasn't going to fly with them onboard. When applying to become an interpreter was he stripped of all common sense? As an American Airways employee I would have contacted management if I was aware of the situation. While these employees have their own view of human rights they should remember who they work for. American Airways itself does not condone this type of discrimination and the employees will be dealt with and fired.
Look no further than the presidency that represents us to the rest of the world and the answer may be apparent.
Manmohan is the biggest terriost of india. So no surprise.
It's not the skin color, it's the turban. Americans, since 9-11, have become wary of men wearing turbans or any headcloths. What is needed is an educational outreach program to teach Americans--especially airline personnel--to differentiate between Sikhs and Moslem terorists--who do not usually wear any kind of turban or headcloth. The airlines themselves should push such programs, and it would not hurt if the Sikh community in the U.S. would furinish them (and other public informational outlets) with a simple explanation of "What is Sikkhism" and that Sikhs are not jihadists nor the enemies of all who do not believe as they do.
Bloody Americnas say they are aginst discrimination what is this all happening no case should be taken against pilot but from my side shoot on sight Bloody civilised Americans Shame on you
oh god i really feel pity for the little knowledge of the Americans(not all), they think they are superhumans .shame on the pilot and the authorities .
Another dumb American !!! Its incredible how dumb some Americans are really are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well waht the two gentel men said about discrimination in India is true , but it is not a valid point to justify the pilot, remeber ameerica has a more violent histroy of racial discrimination than any other democracy. if we have a primeminister he is our prime minister , he is not a sikh prime minister nor a muslim vice president, in america unfortunately obama is still the blck president, so dont be surprised with such responses from white americans . India is the mother of all cultures , so rather than finding faults try to learn the goods things about as we are laerning the good sides of americas growth in science and technology
Yes, Americal Govt. started their work with India. Mr.Prime minister handle this issue very carefully and make it progress in a better way...
jason take a hike...you just a bigger twit i am a hindu not sikh and a pilot too.as far as the bigger twit pilot is i bet any dollar he couldnt tell the difference between his father and mother even.blank out the u.s. on the world map and ask 70 per cent of the americans to point where the u.s is on the map and i bet most would point at africa as its big..this is u.s. for you.stupid with little common sense thank god i do not live there or i think would have rightly boxed the pilot.wake up u.s. give your citizens some general knowledge before they are left way behind which could be real soon. president bush was no better when he came into power ...look at all the mistakes hes made about the countries when giving a speech then how can we say the people know.much of he world.yanks just grow up thats all. please learn the ways of the world and then feel free to comment.
Krish you have an IQ of 140
I have personally experienced such discremination during my return from US to India. During the security check at the PDX airport I was marked out specifically on my boarding pass for special screeing. After taking me aside I was asked in a very calm manner - "Are you a Hindu or a Sikh". What worse this was asked by a very old Sikh security person with turban and a long beard. I was shocked.
This incident shows the stupidity and racism that is present among many Americans.
As usual our government will not say a word in support of Sikhs terming it to be "that country's internal affair"!!
America was not made by whites alone. When did America become a white country? You can call Europe a white continent but America, to even think that they are whites and to look down on others’ race is audacity to the extreme. They cannot claim to be whites… I’ve always respected the Sikhs they are one the most sturdiest and hardworking lively level headed people.On the lighter side…Now you will have lots of Sardar jokes (Santa and Banta Jokes) on the net on lighter side to this mishap...Dear Sikhs its good that you give the best medicine for a good health. Milcbin
I am sikh and am proud of that.I think few Americans are still stupid enough about their knowledge about other cultures and religions.Our Prime Minister is a Sikh and a respected Leader world wide.This idiot pilot should have known this and not insulted those 3 men in such a manner.I expect a public apology from the airline and the pilot from the sikh community.The americans should realize now that times have changed even in their own country ,where a Black President has been elected and these are the same blacks who were subjected to ,torure,umiliation at the hand sof these type of white americans.SHAME ON YOU .
By the way, I just thought that you should know, the PM of India isn't really a Sikh. Sure he wears a Turban and has the name of a Sikh, but do you HONESTLY believe that the racist Indian government would allow a true Sikh to be the head of their nation.Dr. Manmohan Singh is just a PUUPET LEADER. The Hindu ministers, politicians and other government oficials are the ones pulling his strings.I'm pretty sure that he was made the PM of India so the world would pay less attention to the Sikh genocide of 1984 and the attack on the Golden Temple.If he was a true Sikh, don't you think he would do something about the constant "disappearances" of Sikhs in Punjab.
sikhs aren't muslims. learn a little bit more about the world and then maybe we'll let you be a pilot.oh wait, you're already a pilot. whoops.
It doesn't matter whether they are Sikhs or Muslims. Neither one makes you a terrorist. Both should be able to fly on a plane after passing through the same security measures as everyone else.
Steve and Mark both are sick, they really need help. They represent only 0.001% of the community.
Indian discriminate amongst themselves heavily under the pretext of religion, castes, sub-castes, region and so on ... and it is accepted as normal in India.Why then will anybody else respect you, learn to be united and respect your people, your country men and treat them equally, only then will others respect you.