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'US pilot refuses to fly with Sikhs onboard'

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Agencies

Posted: Nov 26, 2008 at 2058 hrs IST
US airline

New York Three eminent Sikh religious musicians were thrown out of a US Airways flight after the pilot refused to fly with them onboard in California, a leading US-based Sikh group alleged on Wednesday.

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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Same thing by Jason Mill on 27 Nov 2008

The silly superstitions that cause the Sikhs to grow their hair long, wear turbans, force their male children to wear doilies on their heads and be mistaken for girls, keep women and men separate in their temples, and insist on arranged marriages for their daughters under threat of being disowned or worse could also cause them to become violent, but the same goes for Christians and anyone else who holds superstitious beliefs.

Teach about Sikhism to the pilot by Bharatiya on 27 Nov 2008

The pilot needs to be suspended from his job. During the suspension, he must be made to undergo community service at a Sikh temple. He must be taught the basics of Sikh religion and only then will he learn that Sikhs are as honorable as any in the world. Stripping the pilot of his job will only increase hate in him. Teach him with firm love. Jai Bharat; Vande Maataram

Indian PM - needs to be active by Gus on 27 Nov 2008

india is land of Sikhs, Hindus and Muslim .. they need to spread that message and educate americans and also OIC .. Indian Govt. need to form panels for dealing with religiuos forums and educations .. Like India should try joining OIC at any cost and deflate Pakistani propaganda there

Sikhs Not Allowed To Fly by Elijah Goldsmith on 27 Nov 2008

I am schocked at the 3 sikh gentlemen not being allowed to fly. I hope that the foolish captain is reprimanded. Jews were treated the same by the Nazi's initially and finally exterminated in gas chambers! Racisim - there should be no place for it. I cannot imagine such a thing happening in India against your average white american. Neither should it happen. I hope this is one of only a few incidents - never to be repeated.

Pay these men and apologize by Travis on 27 Nov 2008

This dirtbag pilot needs to fired and US Airways needs to (1) pay these gentlemen a large sum for the humiliation and (2) publicly apologize to these men and to the sikh community in whatever manner the group "United Sikhs" would deem appropriate. - From a white US citizen appalled by such behavior

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