Reactions- Outcry on Sikh woman’s public torture and rape in Delhi
Sikhs across the world have been speaking out this weekend after news of the targeted abuse and rape of a Sikh woman at the hands of a Hindu family.
Many feel this incident is an example of how Sikhs are targeted by other groups whilst also facing a lack of support through the law in India. See below for more on the incident and reactions from Sikh individuals and organisations from across the world.
Note- Sikh PA will NOT be sharing any of the disturbing footage of the assaults carried out against the Sikh woman (as of yet, unnamed).
On 28.01.22 media reports began to circulate regarding the arrest of a 11 members of a family in Kasturba Nagar (Delhi, India) for the gang-rape and torture of a 20-year-old Sikh woman, now named as Parvinder Kaur.
The reports followed viral videos being circulated online of the woman being beaten, having her hair forcibly cut and being paraded through a village with a blackened face. Those carrying out the heinous atrocities and being arrested for it include three juveniles (under 16) who are both said to have participated in the gang-rape and eight women said to have facilitated and encouraged the gang-rape, which includes the mother of at least one of the juveniles. Information regarding the attack details horrific accounts of the mutilation and torture of the woman during the rape.
The targeting of the married woman who is a mother of one is believed to have started due to her spurning aggressive sexual advances of a local Hindu juvenile, related to those arrested for the gang-rape. The same man killed himself in November last year, which is when the communal targeting of the woman began, led by the deceased man’s mother and peaking with the planned gang-rape, public torture and humiliation of Parvinder Kaur on 27.01.22.
Note- Reports that Parvinder Kaur had committed suicide have been found to be untrue.
Reactions
A video being shared widely to provide clarity on the situation featured Parvinder Kaur’s uncle, who provides more detail on the situation, including how other family members have also been threatened by the mob (translations available for media upon request). Accounts from the woman’s sister, who not only witnessed the vile attack but warned police about the possibility of it six days prior to it happening, have also been shared widely to provide more insight into what occurred and why.
Another common reaction seen on social media revolved around ensuring the woman’s Sikh identity was not erased. This is based on media discrepancy regarding how they report identities of those involved. Others emphasised the meaning of the attack on her kes (unshorn hair). It is common in India for Sikh woman to never cut their hair, even if they are not Amritdhari (initiated Sikhs mandated to keep kes).
#SikhGenocideContinues was a hashtag that many Sikhs began using after the attack went viral. Given the death of hundreds of Sikhs through the #FarmersProtest through last year, along with the ongoing campaigns to #FreeSikhPoliticalPrisoners, many feel India is at the heart of consistent oppression of Sikhs in various forms.
Some Sikh groups have highlighted the lack of faith in the ability of local police to deal with the situation, reflected by the on-the-ground support being provided by local Sikh figures.
Sikh UK based community group Shere Panjab posted a picture show casing revered Sikh leader Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale’s efforts to protect “low caste” (according to Indian non-Sikh beliefs) women, who are often targeted for sexual abuse due to the lack of police protection they face.
Respected Sikh activist and internationally renowned humanitarian Ravi Singh highlighted the hypocrisy of politicians calling out the rape attack, when they lead parties which have utilised the horrific rape culture of India to attempt to crush Sikh activism against the state.
Many Sikhs have highlighted how support for Khalistan (a free Sikh homeland within India) only increases with examples of how Sikhs can be treated in current India.
Overall, the reaction was a disturbing further reality check as to the state of modern India and the place of Sikhs in the nation.
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