KELOWNA, Canada (Diya TV) — A Sikh international student, 21-year-old Gagandeep Singh from India, was attacked by a group of people in Kelowna, British Columbia, in what the authorities are considering a possible hate crime.
It happened about 10:30 p.m. on March 17, just off the Highway 97-McCurdy Road intersection. Singh was commuting back home after shopping for groceries and had taken a transit bus where he met a group of 12 to 15 youths who were creating a ruckus. When one of the youths in the group threw a wig at him, Singh asked them to desist and warned that he would call the police.
The youths followed him out of the bus, attacked him, pulled off his turban, and pulled his hair. Kelowna City Councillor Mohini Singh expressed horror upon visiting Singh after the attack. She described his injuries, stating he could only speak softly and couldn’t open his mouth. His eyes were swollen shut, and he was in significant pain.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrived at the scene and found Singh on the ground surrounded by friends who had been his rescuers. Paramedics treated Singh and took him to the hospital with chest, mouth, arm, and leg injuries.
The RCMP General Investigation Services Team is leading the investigation, carrying out exhaustive video canvassing and soliciting the public’s help in providing dashcam video between 10:15 and 10:45 p.m. on March 17. They have a suspect group identified but have made no arrests yet. The BC Hate Crimes Team has been consulted to help identify any hate factors involved in the assault.
As a reply to the attack, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to help Singh with medical expenses, rent, tuition, and has raised more than $22,000 before being shut down. Singh appreciated the community for supporting him, saying, “The comments in the GoFundMe page and the outpouring of support have reminded me of why I came to Canada.”
