Post by Punjab2000 on Nov 18, 2006 16:09:22 GMT
Racist gang shave off Sikh teenager's hair
PETER DOYLE
A GANG of racist thugs pinned a Sikh teenager to the ground, ripped off his head-dress and shaved his hair in a public park.
The 15-year-old was walking alone in Edinburgh when he was set upon by four white youths in an unprovoked attack.
The youngster was first subjected to verbal racial abuse from the gang, who were standing near Pilrig Primary School in Leith.
But the attack soon became violent and the youths punched and kicked the terrified teenager to the ground as he fled to nearby Pilrig Park.
The victim then had his bandana-style head-covering, which he was wearing in accordance with Sikh custom, torn off and his hair shorn.
It is the Sikh tradition for male adherents to keep their hair uncut and they do not shave their beard or moustache.
While older Sikhs wear a traditional turban, or dastaar, the younger generation have been known to wear more fashionable bandanas.
Rab Singh, 53, vice-president of the Sikh Temple in Leith and a spokesman for the Sikh community, said that it was the first time he had heard of such an attack.
Mr Singh said: "I have lived in Leith all my life and have never heard of anything like this anywhere in the country before.
"The community is appalled by what happened to this innocent boy and we are hoping it does not escalate in any way. We would hope this will be a one-off incident and we can return to living our calm and peaceful lives."
Runbeer Singh, who was visiting the temple, described the attack as disgusting, saying taking the boy's hair was like taking his life and adding: "This must have been absolutely devastating for the boy. A Sikh's hair is sacred to them. For someone to cut it off is as if they are killing him."
Officers from Lothian and Borders Police yesterday appealed for witnesses to the assault, which took place on Tuesday evening.
They issued descriptions of four white, male suspects, all aged about 16.
The first suspect has brown eyes and was wearing dark-coloured Adidas tracksuit bottoms, a dark, thick "hoodie" and a dark beanie-style hat, possibly Adidas.
The second suspect wore a gold hoop in his right ear and was wearing a black Helly Hansen jacket and a dark beanie-style hat.
The third youth was wearing dark clothing, while the fourth suspect has blue eyes, a long, sharp nose, and a small patch of beard on chin. He was wearing a dark Adidas tracksuit and a white beanie hat at the time.
A police spokesman said: "At about 7:30pm on Tuesday evening, the 15-year-old victim entered Pilrig Park via Balfour Place, Edinburgh, where he was initially subjected to verbal racial abuse from a group of young white males, four in number, who were standing near to Pilrig Primary School.
"The victim, for no apparent reason, was thereafter set upon by the group, who violently punched and kicked him to the ground. The young victim has clearly been terrorised by the actions of these males.
"The persons responsible for this attack made off across Pilrig Park, exiting into Pilrig Street, where they then ran off in the direction of Leith Walk.
"This was an extremely distressing attack on a young member of our community and we would appeal to anyone who has information to contact police."
What Sikh faith means
UNCUT hair is one of the five symbols of Sikh faith. The others are a comb, a steel bangle, a sword and special breeches.
One reason for keeping hair is to preserve Sikh identity - Sikhs comprise only two per cent of India's population and could lose out among the large Hindu and Muslim groups.
Sikhism, established by Guru Gobind Singh in northern India 400 years ago, puts faith in one God, Vahiguru, and advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation.
This article: news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1694932006
Last updated: 16-Nov-06 02:18 GMT
PETER DOYLE
A GANG of racist thugs pinned a Sikh teenager to the ground, ripped off his head-dress and shaved his hair in a public park.
The 15-year-old was walking alone in Edinburgh when he was set upon by four white youths in an unprovoked attack.
The youngster was first subjected to verbal racial abuse from the gang, who were standing near Pilrig Primary School in Leith.
But the attack soon became violent and the youths punched and kicked the terrified teenager to the ground as he fled to nearby Pilrig Park.
The victim then had his bandana-style head-covering, which he was wearing in accordance with Sikh custom, torn off and his hair shorn.
It is the Sikh tradition for male adherents to keep their hair uncut and they do not shave their beard or moustache.
While older Sikhs wear a traditional turban, or dastaar, the younger generation have been known to wear more fashionable bandanas.
Rab Singh, 53, vice-president of the Sikh Temple in Leith and a spokesman for the Sikh community, said that it was the first time he had heard of such an attack.
Mr Singh said: "I have lived in Leith all my life and have never heard of anything like this anywhere in the country before.
"The community is appalled by what happened to this innocent boy and we are hoping it does not escalate in any way. We would hope this will be a one-off incident and we can return to living our calm and peaceful lives."
Runbeer Singh, who was visiting the temple, described the attack as disgusting, saying taking the boy's hair was like taking his life and adding: "This must have been absolutely devastating for the boy. A Sikh's hair is sacred to them. For someone to cut it off is as if they are killing him."
Officers from Lothian and Borders Police yesterday appealed for witnesses to the assault, which took place on Tuesday evening.
They issued descriptions of four white, male suspects, all aged about 16.
The first suspect has brown eyes and was wearing dark-coloured Adidas tracksuit bottoms, a dark, thick "hoodie" and a dark beanie-style hat, possibly Adidas.
The second suspect wore a gold hoop in his right ear and was wearing a black Helly Hansen jacket and a dark beanie-style hat.
The third youth was wearing dark clothing, while the fourth suspect has blue eyes, a long, sharp nose, and a small patch of beard on chin. He was wearing a dark Adidas tracksuit and a white beanie hat at the time.
A police spokesman said: "At about 7:30pm on Tuesday evening, the 15-year-old victim entered Pilrig Park via Balfour Place, Edinburgh, where he was initially subjected to verbal racial abuse from a group of young white males, four in number, who were standing near to Pilrig Primary School.
"The victim, for no apparent reason, was thereafter set upon by the group, who violently punched and kicked him to the ground. The young victim has clearly been terrorised by the actions of these males.
"The persons responsible for this attack made off across Pilrig Park, exiting into Pilrig Street, where they then ran off in the direction of Leith Walk.
"This was an extremely distressing attack on a young member of our community and we would appeal to anyone who has information to contact police."
What Sikh faith means
UNCUT hair is one of the five symbols of Sikh faith. The others are a comb, a steel bangle, a sword and special breeches.
One reason for keeping hair is to preserve Sikh identity - Sikhs comprise only two per cent of India's population and could lose out among the large Hindu and Muslim groups.
Sikhism, established by Guru Gobind Singh in northern India 400 years ago, puts faith in one God, Vahiguru, and advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation.
This article: news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1694932006
Last updated: 16-Nov-06 02:18 GMT
at the same time!!
wt a idiot!! buh in all fairness, hu r we 2 judge, he musta un it 4 a reason...buh he had no ryt 2 li n it he shudnt have let it get outta control lyk tht! damn fool!! 
