Action demanded after male-on-female anti-Sikh hate crime at Leicester College

Sikh groups from across the UK and beyond are demanding action after a teenage schoolgirl was subjected to a brutal assault last week by a non-Sikh male, which included her dastaar (Sikh turban) being ripped off.

The incident occurred last Thursday (29th February) in Wyggeston Queen Elizabeth I College, Leicester (East Midlands, UK). A video of the attack taken by watching students went viral, showing the shocking incident where a male and at least one other female attacked the Kaur (Sikh female), leading to her defending herself with help from a friend.

Note- This video and images from it will not be shared by The Sikh Press Association, along with any specific details of the individuals involved, to protect their identities as police investigations into the crime continue.

The viral video of the incident triggered a wave of global Sikh reaction which demanded immediate action from authorities, as well as calls for Sikh groups to ensure the girl was supported and the act was outlined as unacceptable.

According to grassroots Sikh sources who are working with the family of the student, police and the school are set to announce outcomes, although delays in acting have made many question how serious these authorities are taking the incident. Wider Sikh community groups are now involved, along with non-Sikh local community groups.

A national meeting was held regarding the incident on Tuesday evening at the local Sri Dasmesh Darbar Gurdwara (Gypsy Lane, Leicester), which was attended by Sikh community figures from across the UK, as well as two non-Sikh local councillors. Anti-Sikh bullying is a common and long-running issue the community has faced in the UK. Viral videos of incidents have triggered mass efforts to address the issue. Currently, martial-arts clubs are run in Sikh spaces across the UK, giving Sikh children confidence and skills. Sikhs are less than 1% of the UK population (and near that figure or lower in every country on earth) and all practicing Sikhs (including children) wear a physical identity which stands-out.

At the meeting, the Kaurs (the student who faced the hate crime and her friend) were given praise for their efforts to defend themselves from the violent attack, underlining the support for self-defence taught within Sikh communities.

Deepa Singh, a senior sevadaar (selfless servant) of award winning community group Sikh Youth UK who are providing support to the student and their family said of the incident:

“Anti-Sikh schoolground bullying has long been in an issue in the UK, particularly in the Midlands and Yorkshire areas. But this incident may be one of the worst incidents of violence towards a Sikh we have seen. Not only was it a male-on-female attack aided by accomplices, there was also clear intention to humiliate the Kaur by ripping off her dastaar.

“As we work to support the Kaur involved, Leicester authorities need to understand they are enflaming the situation with their lack of urgency in handling it. Sikh groups from across the world are waiting for action, and if none is forthcoming soon there will soon be demonstrations at the college and possibly with local police too.

“Sikhs have been continually let down by UK government services when it comes to safeguarding with hate crimes and targeted grooming. This is why we will work to ensure there is grassroots support and pressure in this situation.”

The college and local authorities are still yet to release a statement on the incident at the time of this article’s release.

Media@Sikhpa.com.