Sikh family gets threats in US

[Blackwater]

New York, March 7
A Sikh family in America has received an anonymous letter that threatens to kill its members for being "associates of the Taliban", prompting authorities to launch a probe into it.

The letter, addressed to the 'Turban Family', said the family is being closely watched and it should leave the US immediately.

"Our people in the neighborhood have been closely watching your activities and figured out you are a close associate of a secret Taliban movement on the US Soil. We ask you to leave the country as soon as possible otherwise one of our people is going to shoot you dead. Don't attempt to relocate somewhere else in America as people are closely monitoring your day to day activities," the letter said.

The identity of the family has not been released. Local authorities are working with the FBI to investigate the threats in the letter sent to the family last week. The Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund said the Sikh family had previously been the target of similar hate crimes.

In 2003, the family's home was vandalised with graffiti and it received two threatening letters. In 2005, they received two more death threats through mail.

Inter-faith groups have spoken in support of the family, calling on the authorities to investigate the threats as a hate crime.

"Incidents like these are constant reminders of the challenges that Sikh Americans face as a result of our unique identity. In the absence of awareness about who we are and what we stand for, Sikh Americans continue to endure harassment, discrimination and threats which run counter to the American ideals," the SALDEF said in a statement. — PTI






The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - World

 

[Ray]

A very nasty development.

Just because they wear a turban and have beard!

When will people be educated enough to realise the reality?

 

[Blackwater]

A very nasty development.

Just because they wear a turban and have beard!

When will people be educated enough to realise the reality?

Sadly, Sikhism is not taught in USA school and colleges.



But it's the responsibilities of various sikh and punjabi organisation in USA to create awareness in their respective areas.

but all those organisation seems busy in counting money

 

[W.G.Ewald]

The letter was written by an ignorant coward. Such people do not have any courage to act.

Still, it would be prudent for law enforcement to expose the writer so that mental treatment can be provided.

 

[Ray]

The letter was written by an ignorant coward. Such people do not have any courage to act.

Still, it would be prudent for law enforcement to expose the writer so that mental treatment can be provided.

I am sure that the bloke will be found and taken to task.

The US law enforcement system is very sound as compared to many other countries, more so way more efficient than what's it in India.

If there is a problem, call up Perry Mason!

 

[Tronic]

But it's the responsibilities of various sikh and punjabi organisation in USA to create awareness in their respective areas.

but all those organisation seems busy in counting money

That's not entirely true.

Sikh organizations have become very active, especially since the Sikh youth have taken over most and are spearheading all the campaigns.

Don't compare Sikh organizations with most of the Sikh gurudwaras in the West. The organizations are run by youngblood who are more ideology and identity oriented, meanwhile the gurudwaras are run by the older baba's who could care less about religion but are more money oriented.

 

[Blackwater]

That's not entirely true.

Sikh organizations have become very active, especially since the Sikh youth have taken over most and are spearheading all the campaigns.

Don't compare Sikh organizations with most of the Sikh gurudwaras in the West. The organizations are run by youngblood who are more ideology and identity oriented, meanwhile the gurudwaras are run by the older baba's who could care less about religion but are more money oriented.

i mean to say american gurudawara prabanthak commette

 

[Shaitan]

Seriously, there are some ignorant @ss people in the states.

One of my best friends is a Sikh and one of his neighbors called the police thinking him and his family were terrorist.. No joke. And me living in New York, I thought something like that would never happened.

Most people however are understanding.

 

[civfanatic]

Most Americans cannot even differentiate between Indians and Mexicans, so this incident is not entirely surprising (especially since anti-Sikh hate crimes have been committed multiple times in the past). The average American is too ignorant about global cultures, something has to be done to make the American education system more world-conscious.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Most Americans cannot even differentiate between Indians and Mexicans...

Of course we can. On The Simpsons, Consuela is Mexican. Apu is Indian.

 

[Syd]

Of course we can. On The Simpsons, Consuela is Mexican. Apu is Indian.

In 1975 I visited the US for the first time. I was in a small town just north of LA (Thousand Oaks) and there were some Hispanic lads working for the same company as I was. They were convinced that I was a Mexican just pretending to be an Indian/Briton. It did not help that as my ancestry is from Goa (which was a Portuguese colony for 450 years) I have a Hispanic surname! Needless to say there were not many Indians in the US at that time.