Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
International

Sikhs call for probe after North Carolina Gurdwara vandalised

Darpan News Desk IANS, 30 Jan, 2023 12:49 PM
  • Sikhs call for probe after North Carolina Gurdwara vandalised

New York, Jan 30 (IANS) A recent string of attacks by vandals on a Sikh temple in the US has left the community worried with leaders asking for a thorough investigation into the incidents.

In various incidents over the last two months, the windows, lights and security cameras of Gurdwara Sahib Khalsa Darbar on East Arrowood Road in Charlotte, North Carolina, were shattered and damaged, local media reported.

"It's shocking for us to experience things like this. We're a small community in Charlotte..." Ajay Singh, a Sikh community member told the Charlotte Observer.

According to the 2021 American Community Survey, there are roughly 6,900 Sikhs out of 10.5 million people across North Carolina.

Singh said acts of vandalism at the Gurdwara started last fall with trash being thrown around the area.

"On January 3, a window near the worship room was destroyed. Two days later, a window was broken near a room for children," he said.

According to the Observer, Gurdwara members had filed a police report but Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police denied there were any between December 1 and January 13. Police did not respond to a Charlotte Observer inquiry on whether there was an active investigation there.

"We really need law enforcement to step up," Pawanjit Singh, a member of the Gurdwara, told Charlotte Observer. "They need to find who is doing this and why they are doing this."

Pawanjit Singh further said that no one was present at the gurdwara when the acts occurred, and the motive of attack remains unknown.

"Ninety per cent of police officers probably do not know who Sikhs are," he said. "When they don't know they can't relate to what an act of vandalism at a Sikh temple means."

The community leaders have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of the damages and install a safety fence and a gate. Apart from being a place of worship, the gurdwara runs a school attended by more than 40 children, and provides community meals, Punjabi language, leadership, and music classes.

MORE International ARTICLES

British-Indian found guilty of killing father with champagne bottle

British-Indian found guilty of killing father with champagne bottle
The father's body was found on the floor of Deekan's bedroom with the "head caved in", the Old Bailey court heard. Vig admitted manslaughter but was found guilty of murder after a jury deliberated for less than a day, the report said.

British-Indian found guilty of killing father with champagne bottle

WHO is keeping the COVID-19 emergency. Now what?

WHO is keeping the COVID-19 emergency. Now what?
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the international body, said Monday "there is no doubt that we're in a far better situation now" than a year ago, when the highly transmissible Omicron variant was at its peak.

WHO is keeping the COVID-19 emergency. Now what?

Investigators checking for mechanical issues in Tesla crash involving Indian-American

Investigators checking for mechanical issues in Tesla crash involving Indian-American
Police had initially arrested Dharmesh A Patel on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse for allegedly intentionally driving the sedan, with his wife and two children inside, off a 250-foot California cliff. Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said they are also investigating whether the crash could have been caused due to an issue with the car. 

Investigators checking for mechanical issues in Tesla crash involving Indian-American

Indian-American Republican Party challenger picking up support to head party

Indian-American Republican Party challenger picking up support to head party
Dhillon's platform for the leadership includes decentralising the party organisation by setting up more regional centres away from Washington, DC, to build the party's grassroots and reduce the influence of lobbyists and self-serving politicians.

Indian-American Republican Party challenger picking up support to head party

Multiple Indian-Americans charged with dental practice fraud

Multiple Indian-Americans charged with dental practice fraud
Dentist brothers Bhaskar Savani, 57, and Niranjan Savani, 51, owned and controlled the Savani Group dental practices. The third brother, Arun Savani, 55, owned and managed the Savani Group companies and was responsible for the Group's financial affairs. The trio allegedly conspired to recruit foreign workers for US work visas while concealing the workers' true job titles and responsibilities.

Multiple Indian-Americans charged with dental practice fraud

Indian student dies after being struck by a police vehicle in US

Indian student dies after being struck by a police vehicle in US
Jaahnavi Kandula, a student of Northeastern University campus in South Lake Union, was walking near Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street when she was hit by a Seattle Police vehicle on Monday. 

Indian student dies after being struck by a police vehicle in US

PrevNext