Jarnail Singh, a Sikh restaurateur residing in Australia, has reported a disturbing series of racially motivated incidents targeting him over the past two to three months. Singh, who runs a restaurant in Hobart, Tasmania, spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation about the distressing events.
The first incident involved a particularly vile act, with dog excrement consistently smeared on the door handles of Singh’s car for four to five consecutive days outside his residence. The situation escalated when Singh discovered racist graffiti in his driveway, explicitly telling him to “Go home, Indian.”
Expressing the mental toll these incidents have taken, Singh stated, “Never, ever has this happened to me before, and it’s been continuous over the last two, three months.” He emphasized the stress associated with the incidents occurring at his residence, especially when targeted with his name.
Singh promptly reported the matter to the police, but the lack of video evidence hindered efforts to identify the perpetrator. The first letter, containing racist comments, led Singh to assume it might have been written by a young person. However, he decided to ignore it after reporting it to the police.
A month later, Singh received another letter, more offensive than the first, containing explicit language like “you can **** off back to India” and threats of damage to his car, either at his workplace or his home.
Having resided in Australia for approximately 15 years, with the last decade spent in Tasmania, Singh’s distressing experience highlights the urgent need for addressing racial targeting. Tasmania Police Commander Jason Elmer confirmed that the incidents had been reported and were under investigation.
Commander Elmer asserted, “There is no excuse for any form of verbal or physical harassment in the community.” He urged individuals who believe they have been victims of prejudice-related incidents to contact the police immediately. Underlining the severity of the situation, Commander Elmer mentioned that current legislation allows the courts to consider racial motivation as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
As Singh awaits justice and an end to the racial targeting, his case emphasizes the broader issue of combating racial prejudice and fostering a community where diversity is respected and celebrated.
