Indian-American Sikh becomes US' Harris County's first turban-wearing Deputy Constable
Houston, Jan 22: Amrit Singh, an Indian-American law enforcement officer, has scripted history by becoming the first-ever turban-wearing Sikh to be sworn in as Deputy Constable in Harris County in the US state of Texas.
Singh, 21, will be the first in his profession to wear his articles of faith - a turban, beard, and uncut hair in the line of duty.
It was a historic day on Tuesday as Singh's swearing-in coincided with the adoption of a new policy that allows law enforcement officers in nearly every single Harris County Constable's Office to wear articles of their faith while in uniform. For Sikhs, that means being able to wear a turban and beard while on duty.
Singh always wanted to work as a peace officer. He spent years in law enforcement explorer programmes and five months in a police training academy.
"Growing up, I always wanted to be a deputy and my Sikh faith was also very important to me," Singh said.
"Constable Alan Rosen was the first one to give me a callback. He opened this agency with open arms for me," he said.
Speaking at Singh's swearing-in ceremony, Precinct 1 Constable Rosen said the county's eight constables supported accommodations for Sikhs to serve while adhering to their religion.
"As a man of the Jewish faith, I know how it feels to be religiously targeted and how important it is to teach inclusion, understanding and tolerance," Rosen said, standing in front of representatives from the county's other constable offices.
"To me, wearing a yarmulke or him wearing a turban really doesn't impact the quality of work he's going to do. It should have zero impact on public safety or what job we do. Are you going to care if the person showing up to your door to help save you has a turban or yarmulke? You're not. You're just happy they're there to save you and keep you safe," the officer said.
Singh will now go on to months of field training, after which he will be assigned to patrol within Precinct One.
In 2015, Harris County made national headlines after sheriff's deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal fought for and won the rights to wear his turban and beard on duty.
At the time of the deputy's murder last year, just a few dozen law enforcement agencies across the United States and the US Army had uniform policies with religious accommodations allowing Sikhs to serve in accordance with their faith.
"Legacy of Dhaliwal is not far removed, it clearly recognised and acknowledge his service and this is a gift that continues to give in his recognition and legacy," said Bobby Singh, a Sikh community leader.
In 2009, Dhaliwal was the first Sikh to join the Harris County Sheriff's Office and in 2015, he became the first Sikh law enforcement officer to be allowed to wear his articles of faith in uniform. He was shot and killed during a traffic stop last year.
"We honour his legacy by honouring his faith here today," Rosen said.
In the months since Dhaliwal's death, law enforcement agencies in California, Washington and in Texas have signalled willingness to change their policies, said Manpreet Singh of the Sikh Coalition, which advocates for religious accommodations for minority communities in public and private sectors.
"It makes me proud to be a Houstonian, and a Texan. I hope the rest of the nation follows Texas," she said.
"I could just hope that I could be half as decent a cop as he ever was, and everything I do, I want people to know that I'm doing it following in his footsteps," Deputy Singh said.
"He made our community proud," said Suhel Singh, Deputy Singh's father.
Singh's parents were recognised at the ceremony. They told FOX 26 that they were proud to see their son pursue his passion even though it is a dangerous job.
"The way I look at it, maybe it will make me pray harder and be more praying for his protection from God," said Singh's mother Sukie Kaur.
Singh is now one of just two law enforcement officers in the county wearing a turban.
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Speculation over Nitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha entry roils Bihar; Giriraj calls it ‘Holi prank’
Patna (PTI): Bihar was abuzz with speculation on Wednesday over rumours that JD(U) president and the state’s longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may move to the Rajya Sabha, paving the way for the BJP to take the top post while accommodating his son Nishant as deputy CM.
However, senior BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh dismissed the rumour as a "Holi prank", asserting "Nitish Kumar ji is the chief minister".
The filing of nomination papers for five Rajya Sabha seats in the state will close on Thursday.
While the BJP has named its two candidates, including national general secretary Nitin Nabin, and confirmed a second consecutive term for junior NDA ally Upendra Kushwaha, the JD(U) is yet to officially announce its nominees.
The rumours of Kumar, who turned 75 earlier this month, being one of the candidates of JD(U), surfaced a day after the party had announced that his son Nishant would be making a belated entry into politics.
Earlier, there were speculations that the reclusive Nishant, who is in his late 40s and is yet to be formally inducted into the JD(U), could be sent straight to the Rajya Sabha.
However, with less than 24 hours left for filling of nomination papers, several media outlets ran reports claiming that the chief minister, who has been at the helm since 2005, could choose the Rajya Sabha route to make an "honourable exit".
According to these unconfirmed reports, the BJP, which has been outperforming the JD(U) in elections, will have its own CM in the only Hindi heartland state where the highest seat of power has eluded it.
These reports also suggested that as a bargain, Kumar could settle for the deputy CM's post for his son.
When Giriraj Singh, who represents Begusarai Lok Sabha seat in the state, was approached with queries, he said, "Today is Holi. Such pranks are common on the occasion. Nitish Kumar ji is the chief minister".
JD(U) MLC Sanjay Kumar alias Gandhi ji, a close aide of the party supremo, reacted with bewilderment when his response was sought to the rumours.
"We have no information about who will be the Rajya Sabha candidates of the party. There is an impression that Union minister Ram Nath Thakur may retain his seat, but that is also not official. As regards the other seat, it is a decision to be taken by the chief minister, who is known to reveal his cards at the eleventh hour. We cannot say anything on the reports in the media," he said.
