Sikh Man Tormented by Mississippi DOT Officers and County Judge- Will Justice Be Served?

Jackson, Mississippi: UNITED SIKHS and The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Mississippi, have filed a complaint with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) today calling on state officials to investigate the harassment of Mr.Jagjeet Singh, a Sikh commercial truck driver pulled over earlier this year for a flat tire.

Officers called Mr. Jagjeet Singh (Pictured) a “terrorist” and had him arrested for declining to remove his kirpan, a small- sacred sword and an article of faith which Singh lawfully wears in accordance to being an amritdhari (initiated) Sikh. When he returned to Mississippi for his court date in Pike County, Judge Aubrey Rimes ordered him out of the courtroom because he did not like his turban – calling it “that rag” — and threatened to punish him unless he removed it.

The letter sent to MDOT officials demands that they provide public documents relating to Singh’s detainment and arrest and urges them to implement an ongoing training program to educate officers about their responsibility to treat every person with dignity and to remain respectful of religious diversity.

UNITED SIKHS and the ACLU plan to file a separate complaint with the Mississippi Judicial Commission, asking officials to investigate Judge Rimes’s conduct and impose appropriate sanctions.

Earlier, UNITED SIKHS successfully advocated for policy amendments after Mr. Jagjeet Singh was asked to remove his turban in Judge Rimes’s courtroom. The Pike County Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual now includes a harassment and non-discrimination policy. A Civil Rights Complaint was filed by UNITED SIKHS with the Department of Justice (DOJ) after which this policy was voted into place by Pike County Board of Supervisors. It is applicable to all Pike County employees. Now the ACLU and UNITED SIKHS are taking further measures to fully address this sad incident.

“Sikhism is a growing religion across the country,” said Manmeet Singh, staff attorney for United Sikhs. “Sikhs are known for their devotion to God and their communities. They deserve the same protections as all other people of faith. No person should be harassed and discriminated against by law-enforcement and judicial officers merely because he practices a minority religion.”
UNITED SIKHS would like to extend its gratitude to American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) President Ms. Susan Herman, ACLU Senior Staff Attorney Ms. Heather Weaver, and Legal Director of ACLU Mississippi Ms.Bear Atwood who have worked diligently with us and taken strong measures to address this incident.

We encourage you to practice your faith fearlessly. We humbly request you to support us so we can continue to fight for everyone’s right to identity.

Source: United Sikhs.Org

2 comments

  1. To
    The Honourable President
    U.S.A.

    Sub: Deny Visa to Modi
    Respected Sir,

    1. Mr. Narinder Modi was involved in killing of innocent Muslims in Gujarat, India. He is being appointed as a person to be the Next Prime Minister of India.
    2. Mr. Narinder Modi of B.J.P. is in touch with Chief Minister of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal (Akali Dal Party) a Sikh Terrorist.
    3. If U.S.A. or their people are honest they will never grant Visa to Mr. Narinder Modi in any circumstances. Your actions will tell every thing.
    Thanking You,
    Date:
    Yours truly,
    (Hardeep Singh Sandhu)
    ___________________________________________________________
    Joint achievements of these two Political Parties B.J.P. / Akali Dal Badal
    1. They killed innocent Muslims in Gujarat, Genocide / 2002.
    2. They burned Godhara train in which three U.K. citizens died.
    3. They burned Australian Missionary. Two kids and their father were burnt alive.
    4. They ransacked Churches and raped Nuns in Uttar Pradesh.
    5. Now in September, they killed 100 innocent Muslims in Uttar Pradesh, Genocide / 2013.
    6. Weapons provided by Akali Dal Badal (Sikh Organisation) in all the above cases. Swords are provided by Sikh Community because in India only they have the authority to keep arms and ammunition like this in the name of religious Symbol.
    7. Sikh Turban and Swords are not religious Symbol. A Sikh religious body of Amritsar named S.G.P.C. is as corrupt like any other Hindu Fundamental Organisation.
    8. Ban these weapons as mentioned in Point No. 7.
    9. Now creditability and honesty lies on U.S.A. Govt. Administration.
    ________________________________________________________
    List of Persons/Organisations those who speak against Foreign Christians
    1. Mr. Narinder Modi of B.J.P.
    2. Mr. Yog Guru Baba Ram Dev of B.J.P.
    3. Mr. Rajnath Singh of B.J.P.
    4. Ms. Uma Bharti of B.J.P.
    5. Ms. Sushma Sawraj of B.J.P.
    The following Organisations are involved in riots:
    1. Bajrang Dal, R.S.S. and Shiv Sena

    ________________________________________________________
    The above mentioned Persons/Organisations opposed Ms. Sonia Gandhi of Congress (I) from becoming Prime Minister of India. The reason stated by B.J.P. was that she is a Christian Lady and her Origin is from Italy.

    Mr. Narinder Modi and Yog Guru Baba Ram Dev can be seen live on Indian Media spitting Venom against foreigners.
    ________________________________________________________
    It’s like double standard by granting Visa to these above culprits.

  2. To
    The Director Bank Central London U.K.
    Mr. Jack Tanna.
    Sub: Turban is not a religious symbol
    Sir,
    1. Sikhs many time fight in Gurdwara their own religious place and remove each other Turban which they wear on Head.
    2. This is an argument point which is to be raised; Sikh is declaring that Turban is a religious symbol.
    3. Ask that Sikh if that Turban is a religious symbol then how can there be two Sikhs one wearing Turban and the other Sikh is not wearing Turban.
    4. There cannot be two Sikhs one wearing Turban on Head and other Sikh is not wearing Turban on Head.
    5. There can be no Sikh without Turban or Dhoti (Piece of Cloth) on Head.
    6. By suing it is self explanatory that Sikhs are using a wrong mean all over World to extract money from Peoples.
    Thanking You,
    Date:
    Yours truly,

    (H)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.