Sikh household alleges racial discrimination at Windsor Fortress, threatens authorized motion UK authorities
IANS
London, January 16
Accusing two British Military guards of racially discriminating towards them at Windsor Fortress, a Sikh household has threatened to take authorized motion towards the UK authorities.
Rapinder Kaur, 36, mentioned she, her turban-wearing husband and their two-year-old youngster had been subjected to racial taunts by guards throughout a go to to the citadel final yr, The Impartial reported.
She mentioned because the household had been strolling alongside the citadel’s wall, two troopers standing in a palace window made inappropriate “We’re watching you” gestures whereas laughing and displaying them the center finger.
In response to the report, the household then complained to the Royal Assortment Belief, which operates the palace, and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which bears duty for the guards.
However the household mentioned all they’ve acquired is an electronic mail apology from a top-ranking lieutenant, and steering that the troopers would obtain refresher coaching.
“The claimant believes that the only motive for being focused and singled out by the troopers was due to their pores and skin color and the truth that her husband was sporting a turban,” a letter despatched from the household’s solicitors to the Authorities Authorized Division in January 2022 learn.
It additional mentioned that Rapinder Kaur’s members of the family had been the one non-white folks there.
In a reply in June 2002, the federal government’s attorneys denied any information of the incident and said that the lieutenant’s apology was “not an admission of legal responsibility”.
“It’s disappointing (that) the Authorities Authorized Division has denied any document of this incident. First, the lieutenant who investigated the incident apologised, however then the Authorities Authorized Division denied it occurred, asking me to show it. Why apologise in any respect if there was nothing to apologise for?” Rapinder Kaur instructed The Impartial.
“I really feel that there’s a degree of safety afforded to people inside sure establishments, which doesn’t apply to folks like us, minorities,” she rued.
This comes as King Charles III visited a gurdwara in Luton, England, final month, and had a healthful interplay with group leaders, volunteers, and college students of Sikh group.
Respecting Sikh traditions, the 74-year-old monarch coated his head with a kerchief, provided prayers, and sat on the ground with Sikh devotees.