Elderly Sikh Men Brutally Attacked in UK

A horrifying racially motivated attack on two elderly Sikh men outside Wolverhampton Railway Station has sparked outrage, with British Transport Police (BTP) arresting three suspects aged 17, 19, and 25. The assault, which occurred at approximately 1:45 PM BST on Friday, August 15, 2025, is being investigated as a hate crime. A viral video circulating online captures the brutal incident, showing one victim lying on the ground with his turban forcibly removed—a profound act of disrespect in Sikh culture—while the other is viciously kicked and punched.

The victims, both local taxi drivers on duty, were reportedly approached by three white men exiting the station, demanding a ride to Oldbury. According to a statement from the Sikh Federation, a UK-based Sikh rights group, the men were rude and abusive, refusing to follow the taxi rank booking system. When one driver explained the procedure, the situation escalated into violence, with the attackers hurling abuse before launching their assault. A woman filming the incident can be heard in the video exclaiming, “These two men have just gotten beaten up by these white men,” as she confronted the attackers.

The victims were rushed to a hospital for treatment and have since been discharged. The suspects have been released on bail pending further investigation, according to a BBC report. The BTP has acknowledged the video evidence and is appealing for witnesses to come forward as they continue their probe into the racially aggravated crime.

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The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from Sikh leaders in India and the UK. Sukhbir Singh Badal, leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, took to X to denounce the “horrific attack,” emphasizing the forcible removal of a Sikh’s turban as a grave insult to the community’s values of universal well-being. He urged West Midlands Police and the UK Home Office to take swift action and called on India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to raise the issue with the British government to ensure the safety of the Sikh diaspora. “I appeal to all Sikh brethren settled abroad to support each other in this hour of need,” Badal added.

Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, president of the Congress’s Punjab unit, also condemned the assault on X, calling it a “disturbing setback for inter-community harmony.” He echoed Badal’s call for Jaishankar to address the issue with UK authorities, highlighting the need for justice and protection for Sikhs abroad. The Sikh Federation’s statement underscored the victims’ roles as community-serving taxi drivers, noting the attack as a targeted act of racial hatred.

The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of minority communities in the UK, particularly Sikhs, whose visible religious symbols, like the turban, often make them targets of hate crimes. Community leaders are calling for stronger measures to combat racism and ensure accountability. As the investigation continues, the Sikh community and its supporters are rallying for solidarity, demanding justice and urging governments on both sides to address the rising tide of hate crimes against minorities.

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