Sikh Youth Denied Entry Into Us Nightclub

[Greater-Punjab]

NEW YORK: A Sikh youth has approached the US justice department after he was allegedly denied entry into two nightclubs in California because he was wearing a turban.

Dave Bindra, a student at Carlsbad's Gemological Institute of America, went to the nightclubs but wasn't let in because they have rules against turbans and other head wear. Bindra claimed that one of the club managers told him it didn't matter that the turban was a religious headgear.

"Beanie, do-rag or turban, you still have a towel on your head and you're not going in," Steve Town, manager of one of the nightclubs, reportedly told the 22-year-old youth.

Town, however, has denied making the "towel" remark and said Bindra and his friends were denied entry because they were being aggressive, the online edition of Union-Tribune reported.

Bindra also claimed that Aaron Williams, general manager of another nightclub Coyote, said it had nothing to do with attacking his religion. "We have a no-hat, no head wear policy when we have a DJ," Williams reportedly said.

When Bindra tried to explain that Sikhs wear a turban as an expression of their faith, Williams said: I'm not judging anyone for their religion. Anybody can come in here and say, 'I'm wearing this because it's my religion'."

"Incidents of discrimination against Sikhs have increased since the Sep 11, 2001, attacks and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq," said Rajbir Singh Datta, a spokesman for the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF.

Datta said his organisation has contacted the Community Relations Service of the US Justice Department, which mediates in instances of racial and ethnic discrimination.

If the clubs did deny Bindra service because he wore a turban, he would have a strong claim against them, said David Steinberg, a professor of civil rights law at San Diego's Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians...how/2311642.cms

[Manmohan]

OMG....what a muppet!!!

[Heera Singh]

Guru Sahib works in amazing ways..

[Manmohan]

Guru Sahib works in amazing ways..

yeh its like that sakhi Manvir Singh was telling at KC!!!

[Shaheed_Fauja]

..Bindra tried to explain that Sikhs wear a turban as an expression of their faith..

nice way of expressing it.. Repping Sikhi in nightclubs.. Modern parchaar or wat

[Medallion Stallion]

on the bad side.............i dont think sikhs belong in a club it gives off the wrong message.

on the good side...........atleast he was wearin a turban most of them wear caps now.......What the hell is that all about???

[Guest G.Kaur]

That reminds me of something Manvir Singh said in one of his workshops.....Those of you who went to Khalsa Camp know what I'm talking about :D

[Khalsa4ever]

Waheguroo jee ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo jee kee Fateh!

ohh, the irony...

Waheguroo jee ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo jee kee Fateh!

[HeatSikhingMissile]

Today, ignorance against the turban (and Sikhs) is shown at nightclub doors so you applaud the prejudice shown. Tommorow this precedent of ignorance will spread to schools, air travel, workplaces, etc. (and already has) and then you'll wonder how and why such ignorance against "your people" could happen. The short-sightedness is astounding.

[Guest Narinder Singh]

Today, ignorance against the turban (and Sikhs) is shown at nightclub doors so you applaud the prejudice shown. Tommorow this precedent of ignorance will spread to schools, air travel, workplaces, etc. (and already has) and then you'll wonder how and why such ignorance against "your people" could happen. The short-sightedness is astounding.