Your turban does not mean terrorism: NYC Mayor Adams says amid recent attacks on Sikhs
New York (PTI): The Sikh turban does not mean terrorism but symbolises faith, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, as he described the recent attacks and hate crimes against the community as a "stain" on the country and vowed to protect its members.
He also gave a clarion call for educating people about Sikhism.
"You are not about terror; you are about protector. That is what needs to be taught throughout this entire city. Our young people need to know that, our adults need to know that," Adams said while addressing members of the Sikh community at the Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center in the Queens neighbourhood of South Richmond Hill.
Describing the Sikh community as an "anchor" in the Richmond Hill neighbourhood, Adams said: "Your turban does not mean terrorism. It means protecting, it means community, it means family, it means faith, it means city, it means us coming together. We will change the dialogue and narrative with you. We can do it together."
Adams and New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar met and addressed members of the Sikh community here Sunday, in the wake of recent incidents of hate crime and assault against Sikhs.
On October 15, a 19-year-old Sikh boy was attacked by Christopher Philippeaux, 26, while he was riding the bus in Richmond Hill. Philippeaux punched the Sikh teenager in the back of the head, tried to knock off his turban and told him "We don't wear that in this country." Philippeaux has been charged with assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
Within days of this assault, 66-year-old Jasmer Singh was attacked when his car collided with another vehicle. The driver of the other car, 30-year-old Gilbert Augustin, allegedly punched the elderly Sikh man three times in the head and face and Singh later succumbed to his injuries.
Describing the attack against Singh as a "violent senseless act," Adams said "Jasmer should still be with us. He should still be with his son. He should still be living out the American dream, watching his son, who's now an immigration attorney.
"He should still be part of this community. That dream turned into a nightmare the other day when his life was taken from us prematurely," Adams said, flanked by Singh's son Subeg Singh Multani and other members of the Sikh community.
Describing Sikhs as "protectors" of society, Rajkumar asserted that the hateful targeting of Sikhs is "not acceptable" and perpetrators of such violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law.
"For the first time, we are going to use the levers of government to end hate crimes against Sikh Americans. For the first time, we are going to come together and educate New York State, the United States and the entire world about who the Sikh people truly are so we are not attacked and misunderstood," Rajkumar, the first Indian-American woman elected to New York State Office and who described herself as a "daughter of Punjab", said.
Rajkumar said this was not the first time she had visited the Gurudwara and had spoken out against hate crimes. "But it is the last time I want to be standing here speaking out against hate crimes. Starting now we are going to end the hateful targeting of Sikhs," she said.
On behalf of herself and the Sikh community, Rajkumar presented the Mayor with a Kirpan', a mandatory article of faith in Sikhism. The sword, engraved with the words "New York City Mayor Adams is our protector", is "to embolden you in your fight for our Sikh community," Rajkumar said to Adams, amid slogans of Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akal'.
Adams said the sword is a symbol of how as the mayor, he must be the protector of the Sikh community. "And when a member of your community is harmed, I take full responsibility (for) that."
Multani, who became emotional and choked up as he addressed the gathering, said his father came from India to the US in the early 1990s with the American dream in his eyes. "We didn't know that the dream would be shattered the way it has shattered" on October 19 in this "great" and diverse city of New York.
Multani said his father lived in Richmond Hill all his life because he considered the neighbourhood his home. Multani "pleaded" that the Mayor and city officials take "strong measures" to ensure the safety of the Sikh community so that no other person suffers the loss he is enduring.
"We love everyone, we love every other minority. But why we are being targeted? That is the question. We are law-abiding citizens of the United States. We love this country as much as others do," Multani said.
Multani said he is constantly in contact with the Queens District Attorney and officials regarding the case. He called on members of the Sikh community to accompany him when Augustin is arraigned on October 31.
"I am requesting everyone to join me that day," he said, adding that with their turbans on, "we will show solidarity and unity" to the judge. "We can show them this is a hate crime. This case must be pursued as a hate crime."
Adams said that to lose a member of the Sikh community in this magnitude is a "stain on our entire city and nation, because the hate we are seeing because your symbol of faith is not only localised to New York City, we are seeing similar acts across the entire country."
He recalled that after 9/11, Sikhs were "under attack over and over again because of the lack of understanding of what your turban represents."
Rajkumar noted that the recent attacks against Sikhs are part of a nationwide trend: in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, documented hate crimes against the Sikh community increased 140% across
the country. Hate crimes have been frequent in the Richmond Hill area, her office noted.
Rajkumar demanded that incidents of hate against Sikhs must be stopped. "This is our fight for civil rights. This is our demand. Stop the targeting of Sikh Americans and see the Sikhs for who we really are - the protectors of society, proud Americans with generous hearts."
Adams said there must be a "full frontal assault on ending hate What plays out across the globe by other doers is being attached to your community. We need to clearly educate people about what this community stands for and what you represent."
He recalled how the Sikh community, during the Covid-19 pandemic, had fed millions of people without asking about their backgrounds, economic status or religion.
"I came here and watched in awe as you opened your doors when the hearts of many were closed. You were truly protectors during the most difficult time. It is our obligation to join you as you protect your community," Adams said.
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SC refuses to entertain PIL seeking menstrual leave policy across country
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a nationwide policy providing paid menstrual leave for women students and workers, observing no one would give them jobs in such a scenario and that such a provision would unintentionally reinforce gender stereotypes.
The top court, however, asked the Centre and competent authorities to consider the representation of the PIL petitioner and examine the possibility of framing a policy on menstrual leave after consulting all relevant stakeholders.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that while the intent behind the petition might be welfare-oriented, the practical reality of the job market could lead to "counter-productive" outcomes for women.
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"These pleas are made to create fear, to call women inferior, that menstruation is something bad happening to them... this is an affirmative right... but think about the employer who needs to give paid leave," the bench observed.
Senior advocate MR Shamsad, appearing for the petitioner, said the Karnataka government has formulated a policy to allow menstrual leave and some private organisations are also providing this facility.
"Voluntarily they are giving, then it is excellent. That is a very good thing. But the moment you introduce it as a compulsory condition in law, you do not know the damage it will do to the career of women. Nobody will give them responsibilities, even in judicial services, a normal trial will not be assigned to them," the CJI said.
During the hearing, the bench highlighted the risk of "unintended consequences", suggesting that a mandatory leave policy might discourage private employers from hiring women.
"The moment you introduce it as a compulsory condition in law, you do not know the damage it will do to the career of women," CJI Kant remarked.
"Nobody will give them responsibilities... This can be harmful to their growth," the bench added.
Justice Bagchi echoed these concerns from a business perspective, noting that affirmative action is constitutionally recognised but must be balanced against market realities.
"Look at the practical reality in the job market. The more unattractive the human resource, the less is the possibility of assumption in the market. Will any employer be happy with the competing claims of other genders," Justice Bagchi asked.
The bench was hearing a PIL filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi.
At the outset, the bench raised the issue of locus of the PIL petitioner and pointed out that no woman herself has approached the court.
It was the third petition filed by Tripathi on the same issue.
The first petition was dealt by the bench in 2023 and it allowed the petitioner to give a representation before the Union Ministry of Women and Children.
The petitioner approached the court in 2024 again on the ground that the Centre did not respond to his representation. The PIL was disposed of in July 2024 again with the direction to the government to take a decision.
"These petitions are deeply rooted, designed PILs. You are not a bona fide petitioner. This is basically only to create a type of impression in young women that you still have some natural issues and you are not at par with male persons and you cannot work like them during a particular time," the bench observed initially.
Shamshad replied that while Odisha has a policy since 1992, Karnataka recently allowed such a leave policy, and Kerala allowed relaxation in schools.
He added that many private organisations are voluntarily allowing period leave.
"The petitioner has made a representation to the authority. It seems to us that whatever was required to be done at the end of the petitioner, he has done for the welfare of young women. It is not necessary for the petitioner to approach the court time and again and seek a positive mandamus.
"We direct that the competent authority shall consider the representation directed to be considered by this court by order dated February 24, 2023, and July 8, 2024, for modelling a policy in consultation with all," the bench ordered.
