Elderly Sikh man forced to remove turban and kirpan during alleged unlawful detention in Abu Dhabi
PTC News Desk: In a shocking incident, an elderly Sikh man was allegedly detained during his trip to Abu Dhabi and was forced to remove his kirpan and turban.
The victim has been identified as Dalvinder Singh who is a resident of Kaithal in Haryana was detained by Abu Dhabi police and subjected to humiliation during his 20-day detention.
Dalvinder Singh, am amritdhari Sikh had travelled to Abu Dhabi on tourist visa as part of a group tour. The incident reportedly unfolded when Singh along with the group visited Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) temple in Abu Dhabi. He was then stopped by the local police over his kirpan and was detained despite efforts by the tour guides and temple management to enlighten officials over the religious significance of kirpan.
His son Manpreet Singh alleged who stays in New Delhi said that he has lodged an official complaint to the Indian Government alleging harassment.
“My father was taken into custody and blamed for arguing with the police even as he didn’t understand the local language or English. During his detention, he was kept in inhumane conditions. His turban, kada and kanga were forcibly removed. He was mentally harassed and not even allowed to change clothes inside the prison,” he said.
Manpreet further alleged that despite being vegetarian, he was served meat and was kep aong with the detainees who used to smoke.
“Despite being a vegetarian, he would be served meat. After his release, he was deported bareheaded without a turban, causing humiliation during the return flight to India,” he added further.
Meanwhile, Manpreet has urged the Indian government to take up this issue with UAE authorities while seeking a formal apology and clarification. He also urged the Sikh diaspora across the globe to rake up the issue of official recognition of Sikh symbols so that such incidents were not repeated.
- PTC NEWS
