Hate Crime: Uber Passenger Holds Sikh American Cabby At Gunpoint, Says 'I Hate Turban People'

In what appears to be yet another case of hate crime against the Sikh community in the US, an Indian origin cab driver was held at gunpoint by a man, who was travelling on his cab.

The incident happened on January 28 in Northwest Illinois where the driver, Gurjeet Singh, is also is a religious leader.

Sikh Coalition

He wears a turban and beard as mandated by the Sikh religion. On the day of the incident Singh picked up a white man from Moline, and during the trip, the passenger began to question Singh about his origins.

¡°Do you serve our country or do you serve your country?¡±

¡°What is your status here?¡± the man reportedly asked.

Singh said he serves both countries because his parents live in India.

That¡¯s when the passenger reportedly got angry and put a gun.

¡°I hate turban people; I hate beard people.¡± he reportedly said.

Sikh Coalition

Despite Singh filing a formal complaint on the very next day, no arrest has been made in the case so far.

This has upset the local Sikh community which is leading the demand for justice.

¡°The fact that no arrest has been made and hate crime charges have not yet been filed endangers the safety of Mr. Singh and the Quad Cities Sikh community,¡± said Sikh Coalition Legal Director, Amrith Kaur.

Sikhs in the US have come under attacks in the past too, by racially motivated individuals and groups mistaking them for Muslims due to their turban and beard.