Mob attack on Sikh business prompts global outcry

Disturbing scenes of dozens storming the shop of two Sikhs and smashing its windows before violently dragging them out and removing their dastaars (Sikh turbans) prompted global outcry this week.

The incident on 2nd March in Rishikesh (Uttarkhand, India), which police watched unfold before slowly intervening, evoked memories of many horrific scenes in Indian history when Hindu mobs rampaged and killed Sikhs, especially given its link to the Congress Party, which led the #1984SikhGenocide.

Business owner Ranjit Singh reported to leading Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandakh Committee (SGPC), the incident occurred due to a Congress Councillor hounding local Sikh business owners and using enforcers to target them. Uttarkhand is a state with a strong Hindutva (Hindu extremist) presence, leading to various incidents against minorities. Ranjit (also being spelled Ranjeet) Singh said a Congress Councillor named Veerpal was attempting to extort fifty-thousand rupees from the Sikh business. A female staff member was targeted for sexual abuse and a gold chain stolen during the attack.

Sikhs across the world reacted to the disturbing viral footage – which we will not share – with disgust, whilst many also cited it as an example of ongoing anti-Sikh hate by Hindutva (Hindu extremists) goons in India.

Shortly after the attack, three men (Dharamveer Singh, Raja Singh and Raju Singh) came forward to issue a public video apology for the incident, stating it was a result of a parking dispute. The three have since been arrested, which the SGPC pushed for in a letter to Uttarkhand authorities. Councillor Veerpal and two others named as Kailash and Suraj Jatav were also later registered in an FIR (criminal case) by police, although Veerpal filed one back at the Sikh brothers targeted, claiming they made casteist remarks and assault.

In a video statement on the incident Giani Raghbir Singh the Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht (“eternal throne”, leading Sikh authority) condemned the incident as an example of anti-Sikh hate in India, whilst also noting its resemblance to incidents of 1984.