Turban Target of 'Bomb' Slur

November 2, 2007

Author: William C. Flook

Source: Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/a-1024569~Sikh_s_turban_target_of__bomb__slur.html

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A Sikh civil rights group has filed a complaint with Fairfax County police after an officer allegedly used a religious slur to justify searching a man outside of a Centreville bar. The complaint, filed last week, stems from an Oct. 5 dispute between Inderpal Singh Chawla and a bouncer at O’Tooles Restaurant Pub and Billiards. It alleges Chawla was turned away from the establishment after refusing to remove his turban. During the confrontation, a patron commented that he “probably has a bomb on his head,” according to the complaint. A nearby officer then told Chawla to “turn around and put his hands on the wall,” according to the document.

“Mr. Chawla responded ‘are you serious?’ To which the police officer stated, ‘Yes, apparently you have a bomb on your head,’ ” the complaint said.