Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Sikh tragedy in latest US shooting ‘embarrassment’

By Amit Roy

ANOTHER day, another mass shooting in America.


Last Thursday (15), Brandon Scott Hole, 19, who used to work at the FedEx warehouse in Indi­anapolis in the state of Indiana, shot and killed eight people in­side and injured 60 before turn­ing the gun on himself.

Four of the fatalities were Sikh – Amarjeet Johal, 66; Jaswinder Kaur, 64; Jaswinder Singh, 68; and Amarjit Sekhon, 48.

The New York Times pointed out: “Some family members of victims who were Sikh provided different spellings and ages: Jas­vinder Kaur, 50; Amarjit Sekhon, 49; and Jaswinder Singh, 70.”

That is so Indian. Our elders are so vague about exact ages, spellings and birthdays.

Ever since the 9/11 attacks in the US, Sikhs have feared that with their turbans and beards, they were being confused as supporters of Osama bin Laden.

US president Joe Biden wants to bring in gun control, but his efforts are being frustrated by Senate Republicans.

“This has to end,” he said. “It is a national embarrassment. Who in God’s name needs a weapon that can hold a hundred rounds? Or 40 rounds? Or 20 rounds? It’s just wrong. And I’m not going to give up until it’s done.”

But will it ever be done? That Americans should be free to carry firearms is a concept diffi­cult for the rest of the world to understand. Nothing much will change until Americans them­selves learn not to live with the pandemic of mass killings.

Oscar Wilde set it out in The Picture of Dorian Gray: “They say when good Americans die they go to Paris,” chuckled Sir Thomas...

“Really! And where do bad Americans go to when they die?” inquired the Duchess.

“They go to America,” mur­mured Lord Henry.

More For You

Saif’s wife appeals for privacy as
identity of attacker sparks debate

File photograph of Saif Ali Khan in 2013

Saif’s wife appeals for privacy as identity of attacker sparks debate

AFTER the knife attack on actor Saif Ali Khan in his apartment in the early hours of last Thursday (16) in Mumbai, many people commented: “If celebrities can’t be safe, what about ordinary folk?”

They missed the irony of the remark. Bollywood stars, in particular, are meant to be like god, leading lives beyond the dreams of avarice.

Keep ReadingShow less
Till death do us part

Embrace joy, express love, and live a life without regrets

Till death do us part

SEEING the word “death” in the title of this column might evoke a range of thoughts.

Is Priya getting married? Erm, no! Is Priya dying? Definitely not. I am fitter than ever since drinking less, getting a personal trainer, and adopting a healthier diet. However, I do often think about death. Those who read my column will know I have never shied away from difficult topics.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eye Spy: Top stories from the world of entertainment

Jaideep Ahlawat in Pataal Lok

Eye Spy: Top stories from the world of entertainment

LOVEYAPA DISASTER

PROMOTIONS for the forthcoming film Loveyapa got off to a disastrous start earlier this month with the release of its underwhelming title track Loveyapa Ho Gaya, accompanied by a bad music video and terrible trailer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why Jenrick is right 
about abuse inquiry

Robert Jenrick

Why Jenrick is right about abuse inquiry

ROBERT JENRICK is a man who is likely to refer to a spade as “a murder weapon”.

Not everyone would use his robust language, but surely the shadow justice secretary is right in demanding a national inquiry into grooming gangs so British society can exclude people from “alien” cultures.

Keep ReadingShow less
Comment: Can Starmer government find the antidote to populist politics?

Keir Starmer

Getty Images

Comment: Can Starmer government find the antidote to populist politics?

Donald Trump’s second inauguration as America's President next week is the sequel that few of us here wanted to see. Trump was the democratic choice of 50% of America's voters again this time, baffling most people on this side of the Atlantic. We share a common language and many cultural influences, but Britain is not America when it comes to politics.

But how confident can we be that Britain will not become as deeply divided as Donald Trump's America? The frenzy with which Elon Musk made himself the main character, opening this year in British politics, showed how technology shrinks the ocean between us. Britain is far from immune from the populist, polarised politics that took Trump to victory. This is a less deeply divided society than America, but the next four years are likely to see that tested as never before.

Keep ReadingShow less