Tarlochan Singh appeals to US Ambassador Gor to address backlash against Sikh truckers

Former Rajya Sabha MP Tarlochan Singh has written to US Ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, highlighting that Sikh truck drivers in the United States are facing undue backlash following a recent trucking accident.

Singh, a former Chairman of the National Minorities Commission, urged Gor to ensure immediate US intervention to support Sikh American citizens.

He referred to a recent incident in which a truck driven by Sikh youth Jashanpreet Singh was involved in an accident that resulted in the deaths of three people.

According to the former MP, the accident and subsequent media coverage have created fear among Sikh truckers in the US due to aggressive reporting. US media outlets have quoted police authorities claiming the trucker was under the influence of drugs at the time.

“Everyone is aware that road accidents are common feature and in America more than 40,000 people are killed in motor vehicle crashes every year. I am not seeking any pardon for the Sikh driver who should face the court,” said Tarlochan Singh, adding, “the trucker's family has claimed that their son Jashanpreet Singh is a baptized Sikh who has taken a vow not to take any drug or alcohol.”

He noted that there are around 1 lakh Sikh truck drivers in the US, who have become an indispensible component of American supply chain.

“For decades Sikhs have been in the profession of trucking and have never been singled out like this. Now they are facing suspicion at truck stops,” Tarlochan Singh said.

Sikhs have been living in America since the beginning of the last century and have been declared best farmers and some of them have earned in Guinness World Book of Record. Few of them were pioneer of Silicon Valley. Dalip Singh Saundh a Sikh was the first Asian to be elected Member of Parliament in America in 1952, he mentioned in his letter to Ambassador Gor.