LONDON, UK—Post the Charlie Hebdo attack in France, a UK-based Sikh organization has emphasized on the need for security to the community members and their religious places in UK, US, Canada and other countries stating Sikhs had been subject to hate attacks after the 9/11 incident due to mistaken identity.
Talking to TOI on Monday, Amrik Singh, chairman of Sikh Federation, said, “These incidents provide another reminder that resources need to be allocated towards security of the Sikh community and our religious institutions that have been attacked in UK, US, Canada, Greece and Australia by those who are ignorant.” Reportedly, Sarandev Singh Bhamra, 24, came under a racially-motivated attack last week with a machete and hammer by Zack Davies, who was shouting “white power”, while he was shopping in a Tesco mall in Wales.
Amrik alleged the incident had been downplayed despite containing all the ingredients of a terror attack. “The attack in North Wales has left the 24-year old Sikh in hospital with deep cuts on the left hand, his back and the back of his head. Davies has now been charged with attempted murder,” he said
He said UK’s former chief rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks said British Jews were scared to go to the shops in the wake of Paris killings. “Ironically, politicians and the police are rightly concerned with anti-Semitism and stepped up their presence outside sensitive Jewish sites, but are silent on the need to ensure the safety of Sikhs, one of the most visible ethnic minorities,” said Amrik.
He said since the 9/11 incidents, Sikhs had often been the first to be targeted following Islamist terror attacks in the West. “How many Sikhs need to be murdered or seriously attacked for the authorities to provide an adequate response?” he questioned. Amril said the last week’s attack and numerous other cases of violence against Sikhs in the UK and across the globe on account of “mistaken identity” since 9/11 were a reminder that the community continued to be failed by the authorities. “Sikhs have made an immense contribution in all spheres of public life in Britain through honest hard work. They continue to promote equality and tolerance towards others through interfaith dialogue and charitable work,” he said.
