US Sikh driver attack: India seeks probe

Reacting to the news of a Sikh taxi driver allegedly assaulted at the JFK International Airport in New York last week, the United States has said it will “hold perpetrators of hate crimes accountable for their actions.”

“We are deeply disturbed by reports of an apparent attack on a Sikh cab driver at J.F.K. airport, captured on video last week. Our diversity makes the U.S. stronger, and we condemn any form of hate-based violence. We all have a responsibility to hold perpetrators of hate crimes accountable for their actions, no matter where such crimes occur,” the US State Department said in a statement.

The Indian Consul General in New York has taken up the matter with the US government and urged the authorities to investigate the incident.

“The assault against a Sikh taxi driver in New York is deeply disturbing. We have taken up the matter with US authorities and urged them to investigate this violent incident,” Indian Consul General in New York tweeted.

A US-based NGO, the Sikh Coalition said it is providing legal aid to the victim.

“We were deeply disturbed by the video of a Sikh New York City cab driver being attacked and berated earlier this week. Our attorneys have reached out to the driver to learn more and offer free legal aid, as well as verified that law enforcement are engaged,” the organisation said.

The incident came to light after an Indian in US Navjot Pal Kaur tweeted a video of the alleged assault in which an Indian Sikh cabbie is being seen beaten by another man. “This video was taken by a bystander at John F. Kennedy International Airport. I do not own the rights to this video. But I just wanted to highlight the fact that hatred continues to remain in our society and unfortunately I’ve seen Sikh cab drivers get assaulted again and again…This story is one of many unfortunate attacks against daaster wearing Sikh men in New York City as a taxi driver,” tweeted Kaur.