Hoboken, NJ (January 30, 2008) - A Sikh man was assaulted by a restaurant patron who tried to remove his turban in public on Tuesday evening. Before her arrest, Hansdip Singh's attacker told him that she had a problem with his turban and wanted him to remove it immediately. Hansdip Singh had been dining at the Madison Grill in Hoboken, New Jersey on January 29, 2008. While standing in the restaurant, a woman behind him grabbed a hold of his turban and attempted to pry it from his head. She had almost succeeded by the time Hansdip turned around to confront her. When he did so, the woman remarked that she had a problem with "that stuff" on his head, and told him to "take it off." When Hansdip refused, the woman became more difficult, and the Hoboken Police Department was called in. Police officers arrested the woman on the spot, and have charged her with harassment and bias intimidation.
The Coalition commends the Hoboken Police Department for its quick response to the attack. We will work with the local country prosecutor to ensure the attack is prosecuted as a hate crime.
This is not the first hate attack against a Sikh in New Jersey. The Sikh Coalition's online database has logged 47 incidents of bias against Sikhs since September 11, 2001.
We urge all Sikhs to practice their faith fearlessly. If you or someone you know is a victim of bias harassment, please report it to legal@sikhcoalition.org.
This is not the first hate attack against a Sikh in New Jersey. The Sikh Coalition's online database has logged 47 incidents of bias against Sikhs since September 11, 2001.
We urge all Sikhs to practice their faith fearlessly. If you or someone you know is a victim of bias harassment, please report it to legal@sikhcoalition.org.