March 20, 2023
2 mins read

Gang attack Sikh student in Canada

Gagandeep was heading home after grocery shopping when he encountered a group of young boys, between 12 and 15 years-old on the bus….reports Asian Lite News

A Sikh student from India was attacked by a group of unknown men who ripped off his turban and dragged him across the sidewalk by his hair in the Canadian province of British Columbia, according to a media report.

Gagandeep Singh, 21, was swarmed and beaten near Highway 97 and McCurdy Road in Kelowna after he got off a transit bus on March 17, CTV News reported.

Gagandeep was heading home after grocery shopping when he encountered a group of young boys, between 12 and 15 years-old on the bus.

“They were harassing him and they threw a wig at him. He told them not to bother him or he’d call the police, and they continued to harass him,” Kelowna City Councillor Mohini Singh told CTV News.

“They got off after him, waited for the bus to leave and then they swarmed him, they beat him in his face, in his ribs, arms, and legs and then proceeded to grab his turban, pull his hair and drag him,” Singh said.

She further said that the group took the turban with them when they left Gagandeep in a pile of “dirty snow” on the side of the road.

Gagandeep then called a friend who came to the scene and dialled 911. He was treated for a wide range of injuries on his chest, mouth, arms and legs at Kelowna General Hospital, according to the report.

Singh, who visited Gagandeep at his home, said she was “horrified” after she saw him.

“He could only speak in soft tones and he couldn’t open his mouth,” she told CTV News, adding that the young man’s eyes were swollen shut and he was in pain.

Calling the incident “intolerable” and “absolutely disgusting”, Singh said it should be treated as a “racist attack”.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of Kelowna said in a statement that they are investigating the incident in which someone was “hit from behind and assaulted” by a group of people.

“The Kelowna RCMP take this very seriously and are concerned that this type of crime has happened in our city,” spokesperson Constable Mike Della-Paolera said in a statement.

“This assault is the top priority for our investigators.”

Meanwhile, shaken and scared, international students and members of the Sikh community gathered on Sunday morning near a Kelowna bus stop to seek justice for Gagandeep.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Gagandeep’s friends to cover his medical expenses, rent, and tuition fees.

“Kelowna is a welcoming and diverse community, filled with residents who are full of love and compassion. Together we can show that there’s no place for hate and violence in our community,” the fundraising page said.

ALSO READ: Canada announces additional military aid to Ukraine

Previous Story

B-1B bomber returns to S. Korea as North fires missile

Next Story

EU, US, Japan central banks join hands to keep dollars flowing

Latest from -Top News

China Says US Tariff Hikes Violate WTO Rules

China is among the hardest-hit, facing a 34 per cent levy—part of what Washington describes as reciprocal measures aimed at rebalancing trade deficits and curbing unfair trade practices China has strongly condemned

Modi Due in Sri Lanka to Cement Ties

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha described the visit to island nation as “very important” and likely will set a fresh agenda for bilateral cooperation Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit

India Acts as ‘First Responder’ in Myanmar: Jaishankar

Jaishankar took the opportunity to underscore India’s swift humanitarian response, highlighting Operation Brahma, which was launched to assist those affected by the earthquake. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday expressed India’s
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Plane Crash in Canada Claims Lives of Two Indian Trainee Pilots

The cause of the crash remains unknown so far, and

Trudeau Sends Warm Wishes for Navratri

Canada hosts one of the largest Indian Diasporas in the