Akali MP voices concern over humiliation of Sikhs

Concern was expressed in Lok Sabha today over growing incidents of harassment and humiliation of Sikhs as also hate crimes against them in several countries due to mistaken identity.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Harsimrat Kaur (Akali Dal) said that after the 9/11 terror strikes in the US, Sikhs were subjected to growing hate crimes as they were being targeted because of their attire.
"Thousands of Sikhs have to bear the brunt of hate crimes due to mistaken identity around the world," Kaur said.
Supported by Trinamool Congress members Saugata Roy and Dinesh Trivedi, she recalled that the killings at the Wisconsin Gurdwara recently was a case of hate crime.

She also said Sikhs were being humiliated in France and Italy and pointed out that famous athlete Jeev Milkha Singh's coach was asked to take off his turban during frisking at Milan airport.
A Sikh Jet Airways Captain also faced the same humiliation recently. One Sikh was detained for 20 hours at an international airport.

Accusing the Congress government of not taking enough measures at the international fora to deal with the issue, Kaur said for almost a decade this dispensation has not done anything. "What does this government have against the Sikhs?" she asked.
She alleged that this government has been soft on the issue.

Kaur said Indian Consulates should be asked to take up the issue with the countries concerned.