New York, February 20, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
United Sikhs, a U.S. based advocacy and humanitarian United Nations affiliated Sikh body today expressed shock and awe, denouncing the manner Indian youth particularly the Sikhs were deported from USA in military air planes.
“The Sikh deportees are forced to remove their turbans and are being made to sit in plane bareheaded in shackles against the Sikh tenets and traditions. It is deplorable”, said the humanitarian body spokesperson in a statement issued from New York.
“United Sikh Strongly condemned the recent reports that atleast 24 Sikh deportees were allegedly forced by U.S. authorities to remove their turbans before being repatriated to India. Removing of turbans of Sikhs is a disregard of religious freedom and an affront against human rights”, said Gurvinder Singh director of United Sikhs.
Singh explained that the turban known as “Dastar” or “Pagri” is a visible marker of Sikh identity and holds profound significance for Sikhs, as essential articles of faith.
It symbolises equality, self respect, and spiritual commitment, serving as a constant reminder of Sikh dedication to living a righteous and honest life.
Forcing such deportees to remove their turn is desecration of their faith causing deep emotion and spiritual distress.
“We call upon the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take immediate and concrete action to address their violation of religious right ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future,” reiterated Gurvinder Singh.
Beyond policy statements that recoganise religious freedom it is imperative to enforce clear guidelines that protest the right to wear article of faith throughout all immigration and detention processes.
It is incumbent upon the department of strengthen its mandatory training program to ensure that all officers are fully educated on religious and cultural sensitivity, preventing further infringement on the rights of the individual in their custody.
To efficiently resolve this concern we urge DHP to engage in the a direct dialogue Sikh advocacy organisation including United Sikhs, so as to develop a policy that uphold religious rights and avert similar future occurrences, United Sikhs remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the protection of Sikh religious rights and holding authorities accountable for evident violations.
We stand in solidarity with the affected individuals and call upon the U.S. government to immediately rectify this injustice and ensure that all the detainees are treated with dignity and respect upheld by international human rights principles, policies, and standards.
“We do not recommend anyone landing in US in unfair and illegal means, but they should be treated humanely even if they are being sent out of the country,” adds the spokesperson.
In the statement United Sikhs said that Sikhs are an intelligent community, they are peace loving and hardworking. They hold high positions in the political and government set up and the corporate organisations and hold high positions, which they have scaled these positions with sheer hard work and professional capability. There are many examples which are not hidden from the US authorities.
We issue an appeal to the US Department of Home Services (DHS) that Sikhs are sent back in keeping in mind their religious ethos and not treated as criminals, said the spokesperson.
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