A 21-year-old Indian truck driver named Jashanpreet Singh has become the centre of a growing controversy after appearing in a US court without his turban, a move that has deeply angered the global Sikh community. The young driver, who is accused of causing a deadly multi-vehicle crash in Southern California that resulted in the death of three people, was photographed in court bareheaded—an image that quickly went viral and drew sharp criticism from community leaders, political figures, and Sikh organizations around the world.
According to reports, Jashanpreet Singh, originally from Yuba City, had been working as a truck driver in the United States since entering the country illegally in 2022. He has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and causing bodily injury. The fatal incident occurred on October 21 near Ontario, California, when Singh’s semi-truck allegedly crashed into stationary vehicles on a busy highway, resulting in a tragic pile-up that left three dead and four others injured. Despite the serious allegations, Singh has pleaded not guilty to all charges during his first court appearance at Rancho Cucamonga.
However, the focus of public outrage has shifted from the charges themselves to the alleged violation of Singh’s religious rights. Sikhism regards the turban, or Dastar, as a sacred article of faith representing honour, devotion, and equality. For a practising Sikh, being forced to appear in public or in court without a turban is considered a deep humiliation and a breach of religious freedom. In response, a petition on Change.org was launched demanding the immediate return of Singh’s turban and condemning the incident as “an assault on Sikh faith and identity.” The petition argues that the action disregards both the presumption of innocence and the fundamental right to religious expression, calling upon US authorities to treat Singh with fairness and dignity while ensuring a fair trial.
In India, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has voiced strong concern over the matter. After meeting Jashanpreet’s family, Badal stated that the young man has been wrongly accused of drug use. He described Singh as a hardworking youth who has lived by Sikh principles, calling the drug allegations “a grave error that must be corrected.” Badal also appealed directly to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging him to intervene and ensure that Jashanpreet’s religious and legal rights are respected. “The distressing images of Jashanpreet being produced in court bareheaded—a violation of his Sikh identity—heighten our concern. Let justice prevail with mercy,” Badal wrote in a post on X.
Back in India, Singh’s father, Ravinder Singh, has strongly defended his son’s character, asserting that he is an Amritdhari Sikh who strictly follows religious teachings and abstains from drugs or intoxicants. Speaking to The Indian Express, he expressed his family’s anguish, saying, “He has never even gone near drugs. These accusations are completely unfounded. We deeply mourn the loss of lives, but our son should not be falsely accused. We raised him with care and discipline, and now everything feels shattered.”
As the case moves forward, Jashanpreet Singh remains in custody without bail, awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 4. The matter has not only raised questions about the treatment of Sikh individuals in custody but also sparked a larger debate on religious rights, due process, and cultural sensitivity in the American legal system. The outcome of the case and the response from Indian authorities are now being closely watched by both the Sikh diaspora and human rights groups worldwide.
