Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
International

'Go home Indian': Sikh restaurateur racially targeted in Australia

Darpan News Desk IANS, 16 Nov, 2023 06:44 PM
  • 'Go home Indian': Sikh restaurateur racially targeted in Australia

Melbourne, Nov 16 (IANS) A Sikh restaurateur living in Australia for 15 years, has been left shaken after he found excrement smeared on his car for several days in a row and racist letters that told him, "go home, Indian".

Jarnail 'Jimmy' Singh, who runs 'Dawat – The Invitation' restaurant in Hobart, Tasmania, said he has been continuously targeted for over the last two, three months.

"It's mentally very stressful when it comes to your house, and particularly (being targeted) with your name on it... It's too much mental stress. Something has to be done," Singh told ABC News on Tuesday.

Singh first assumed the letter had been written by a young person, and did his best to ignore it, according to the report.

Recounting the first incident, he said dog excrement was smeared on the door handles of his car for four or five days in a row, followed by a racist letter in his driveway, telling him "go home, Indian".

While the incidents were brought to the notice of police and video cameras were installed at his property, the spiteful letters continued to arrive.

He told ABC News that the next letter was received about a month later, and it was even more offensive than the first -- including comments like "you can **** off back to India".

His car was also scratched outside his workplace.

"This kind of thing has to be stopped. Definitely, we do need a change," Singh rued.

Tasmania Police Commander Jason Elmer said in a statement that the incidents had been reported to police and were being investigated.

He said current legislation allowed for courts to "consider that a motivation of racial hatred or prejudice can be an aggravating factor in sentencing".

Commander Elmer said there was "no excuse for any form of verbal or physical harassment" in the community, and that people were encouraged to contact police immediately if they believe they have been the victim of a prejudice-related incident.

Aimen Jafri, the chair of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, told ABC that incidents like those experienced by Singh were far too common -- and increasing.

"It's definitely getting worse at the moment," she said.

Singh said he hoped speaking out about his experiences could help prevent others from facing anything similar.

After police opened investigation, Singh took to his social media page and wrote that "there is no space for racism in our beautiful country, Australia".

He also thanked his supporters and customers who "stood with him in hard times".

"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support I have received in many ways, phone calls, messages, and personal visits to our restaurant just to check on me," he wrote on Facebook on Monday.

 

 

MORE International ARTICLES

US man charged with killing his four children, mother-in-law in shooting

US man charged with killing his four children, mother-in-law in shooting
David is accused of fatally shooting the five victims aged 11, 7, 2, 1 and 51 at the family home on the 3,500 block of Garnet Lane in Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County, according to the news release.

US man charged with killing his four children, mother-in-law in shooting

Blanket travel bans will not prevent int'l spread of Omicron variant: WHO

Blanket travel bans will not prevent int'l spread of Omicron variant: WHO
The Omicron variant was first reported to the WHO by South Africa last week. So far, several countries and regions have confirmed cases of infection with Omicron. Dozens of countries have already tightened travel measures, and even suspended flights, Xinhua news agency reported.

Blanket travel bans will not prevent int'l spread of Omicron variant: WHO

Taliban gunmen checking mobile phones of Kabul residents

Taliban gunmen checking mobile phones of Kabul residents
Residents of Kabul complain that gunmen linked to the Taliban government have lately been checking their mobile phones, thus violating their privacy, Pajhwok News reported. Concerned at the unwarranted checks, they said the practice amounts to trampling on human rights and respect for their privacy.

Taliban gunmen checking mobile phones of Kabul residents

Omicron variant reminds that Covid is far from over: WHO

Omicron variant reminds that Covid is far from over: WHO
Even as the world is entering a third year into the Covid-19 pandemic, the infectious disease that claimed the lives of more than 5 million people so far is far from over, the WHO said on Monday.

Omicron variant reminds that Covid is far from over: WHO

Jack Dorsey quits as Twitter CEO, announces IIT man Parag Agrawal as successor

Jack Dorsey quits as Twitter CEO, announces IIT man Parag Agrawal as successor
Jack Dorsey, the maverick behind making Twitter the world's go-to social platform to rant, laud, troll or play simple catch up, is moving on. Indian-American Parag Agrawal, Twitter @paraga, is the new CEO, with immediate effect, Dorsey announced.

Jack Dorsey quits as Twitter CEO, announces IIT man Parag Agrawal as successor

Stores kick off Black Friday but pandemic woes linger

Stores kick off Black Friday but pandemic woes linger
Retailers are expected to usher in the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season Friday with bigger crowds than last year in a closer step toward normalcy. But the fallout from the pandemic continues to weigh on businesses and shoppers' minds.

Stores kick off Black Friday but pandemic woes linger