US Airways Pilot Refuses to Fly Plane Unless Three Sikhs Get Off
B. Gulbag Singh, B. Davinder Singh & B. Iqbal Singh
Renowned Sikh Classical Religious Musicians Face Public Harassment and Discrimination
Sacramento, California, USA:Â In a disturbing incident reminiscent of widespread discrimination in 2001, three eminent Sikh classical religious musicians, Gulbag Singh, Davinder Singh, and Iqbal Singh were ‘kicked off’ a US Airways flight, and were told that the US Airways pilot for the plane was refusing to fly with them on board. UNITED SIKHS has written to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and US Airways, warning legal recourse against US Airways unless prompt action is taken to redress the incident.
UNITED SIKHS urges you to report any and all incidents of discrimination.
• During the Thanksgiving Holidays, you may face improper or discriminatory conduct while traveling.
• Familiarize yourself with your rights: Download the Guide & Bill of Rights for Sikh Air Travelers in the USA
•Contact UNITED SIKHS immediately to report your incident, by clicking here or by telephone at 1-888-243-1690
The incident occurred after Gulbag, Davinder, and Iqbal Singh cleared Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security and boarded US Airways flight no. 0493 on November 15th in Sacramento, California, on their way to Salt Lake City, Utah. The three were sitting together in the rear of the plane, in their assigned seats. After having been on the plane for approximately ten minutes, they were approached by one of the ticket-reception desk workers and asked to exit the plane. While none of the three adequately comprehend or speak English, the group complied and exited the aircraft. When it became apparent that the group was unable to converse with US Airways representatives, a Panjabi interpreter was called to assist.
The Panjabi interpreter informed Iqbal Singh, on behalf of the US Airways representatives, that the US Airways pilot for the plane was refusing to fly if they were onboard the aircraft. When Iqbal Singh asked why, the US Airways representatives were unable to give a clear answer, and the interpreter went on to persuade the three not to raise any objection because it could lead to more problems. The group, having become concerned, fearful, and worried about what had happened, took the only option they were given, which was to stay the night in a hotel and depart on a Delta Airlines flight the following morning to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Commenting on the discriminatory and publicly humiliating treatment, Gulbag Singh commented, “I would like to ask the average American to think about how they would feel if they were cleared by security, were sitting on their plane, and then were asked to leave for no good reason. It is ridiculous that a person should be submitted to such second class treatment.” (Translated from Panjabi)
In the formal complaint letter to US Airways, UNITED SIKHS stressed the severity of the racial profiling and discriminatory treatment, asked for an apology and compensation for the three Sikhs, and offered training for US Airways staff. “Sikhs will not stand to be discriminated against. There is no satisfactory justification for US Airways to treat people in this way. This is a clear violation of civil rights and they must take immediate actions to address this issue,” stated Harpreet Singh, Legal Director, UNITED SIKHS.
In a separate incident on November 17, 2008 at Logan International airport in Boston Massachusetts, a Sikh man, Jaspal Singh, was sent to secondary screening where he was subjected to humiliating treatment when a Transportation Security Officer ( TSO) roughly searched his turban, almost untying it, after threatening him with arrest. UNITED SIKHS has written to and spoken with the TSA which is currently reviewing video footage of the incident.
(Issued By: Jaspreet Singh International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy, UNITED SIKHS)
Comments:
I think it’s great to question people. Besides, if we were allowed to profile the people that actually fit the profile of terrorists we would have never have seen the attacks on 9/11. I remember my 76 year old grandmother got pulled aside for ‘random’ search at a TSA checkpoint, I didn’t file a complaint or lawsuit. We’ve all been there, just deal with the consequences that your past brethren have made for all of that ethnic background!!!
Adam
Your ignorant response is part of the problem. You need to think before you spew venom and hate. Firstly you obiviously dont know or care that sikhs are not muslims. Secondly they were not just questioned or searched they were removed from the flight based on the ignorance of the pilot.
I guess in your case (and the pilots) ignorance is bliss.
N Singh
Adam this isn’t a case of a one of searching or “security” measure. This is an obvious attempt at branding any one with turban as a “terrorist”. The turbans the 3 people above looks NOTHING like that of Bin Laden, so the question of “profiling” doesn’t come into it.
Also, these guys got passed security and boarded the plane. So are you saying that there was a major lapse in security that these people needed to be re-screened?? This was a blatent attempt at racial discrimination by the pilot and i feel the company should be sued!!
“I remember my 76 year old grandmother got pulled aside for ‘random’ search at a TSA checkpoint,”
Adam, your wrong, indian sikhs are totally not anything like muslim terrorists, your stupid analagy befits the level of inteligence of a beligerent bully that is the usa. Remember the us armed and trained bin laden and set up aq, precisely why 911 was an inside job to allow for the invasion of iraq. Yourr ignorant of the facts obviously.
Adam -
How many of the terrorists on 9/11 wore turbans to the airport? - 0
What ethnicity were the terrorists? - largely Saudi Arabian
What ethnicity were these Sikhs? - Indian
Are Sikhs Muslims? - no
Hardly Brethren as you put it then right?
Were these Sikhs pulled aside for a random search? - no
Did they get through security like every one else on the plane? - yes
Why were they pulled aside? one can only hope that bigotry is over in US, but obviously did pilot proves that it isn’t.
Yes, questioning people is good but hauling these three off the plan and refusing to fly with them once they have passed security without any problems IS discriminatory.
Adam
Your a fool!, Why didnt the knumb knuts question the 3 before they got on the plane then? Yeah its great to Question people, but not once they’re sitting on a plane! So let me question you ? Which one of the 9/11 terrorists wore a white Turban? Were you watching Sesame St or someit when you wrote this? cuz you obviously dont know much about Profile matching?! Your mother got pulled off at a TSA checkpoint, these 3 got pulled off whilst preparing for the flight to take off. There is a difference. Wake up and start educating yourself on world religions before you start branding yourself as a global police force. It might be worth setting your foot outside your U.S bubble from time to time.