Sikh Boy Has Turban Ripped Off & Stamped On In Racist Hate Crime

AN 11-YEAR-OLD Sikh boy had his turban ripped off and stamped upon by a group of racist thugs on a Liverpool bus.

Arjan Rhode was attacked by a gang of teenagers on Monday afternoon on the 82 service in Garston.

Moments after he got on the bus near Aigburth Road, he was tapped on the shoulder and his turban was suddenly pulled from his head.

A group of around nine yobs, aged around 18, passed the turban around while mocking the St Benedict’s RC College pupil.

They shouted a tirade of racist abuse at the terrified boy as they stamped on the turban on the floor.

The turban is one of the most important religious symbols for a Sikh and touching it alone is seen as a huge insult.

The bus was packed, around school leaving time at 3.10pm, but nobody intervened.

Arjan left the bus sobbing and recounted the assault to his mother who immediately telephoned the police.

Police have arrested a boy aged 17 on suspicion of a religiously aggravated public order offence.

He was being questioned by officers and the matter could be passed to the force’s Sigma Unit, which deals with hate crime.

Police are set to examine CCTV tapes from the bus.

Clearly if this is not a Race Hate Crime, the Sikh Community worldwide will be wondering what is? This Crime has the potential of widening communal tensions if not tackled head on.

It is alleged that the mocking group were made up of current and former pupils from St Benedict’s, formerly St John Almond, and the school has been contacted.

His mother, who wished to be identified only as Mrs Aurkaur, said her son had been left traumatised and was off school.

She said: “The bus was busy but nobody helped him. After it happened, Arjan sat there alone and frightened until he got off.

“This was a completely offensive act, the turban is the basis of Sikh religion.”

Mrs Aurkaur said her son had suffered repeated racist attacks and insults at his school in Horrocks Avenue, Garston.

Sikhs have a distinct identity which they hold in the highest regard. The males are recognised by the long flowing beards and high turbans which they begin keeping at a young age. Sikhs also have five articles of faith which they keep at all times: the Kara (iron bracelet), Kesh (uncut hair), Kirpan (religious ceremonial dagger), Kachhera (briefs) & Kangha (comb).

Hence, to show strength of character, their pride in their spirituality & ethics they are instantly recognisable and stand out in a crowd.

Headteacher John Finnigan (pictured) said initial inquiries suggested none of the yobs was a pupil, but he would work with police to identify them.

He said: “Any racist incidents are totally against the ethos of our Catholic college.

“Such incidents are always condemned, thoroughly investigated and action taken.

“This matter occurred after school, but we have obviously made inquiries among our students and teachers.

“College staff and the police will be patrolling the area at the end of the school day.”

The Mission Statement of the College reads:

"We provide a safe, secure and happy environment."

Clearly they have failed in this regard.

The Sikh Community worldwide is outraged that such a serious Race-Hate Crime has not been categorically denounced by a wider proportion of the community in Garston, Liverpool and that this Hate Crime has not been investigated and the perpetrators punished to the fullest extent of the law.