Indian American Becomes First Turbaned Sikh to be Inducted in Trump’s Security Team

By Little India Desk | September 14, 2018

Ludhiana-born Anshdeep Singh Bhatia has become the first Sikh man to be inducted in U.S. President Donald Trump’s security detail, the Hindustan Times reported. Bhatia was included in the fleet last week after he completed his training in the United States, the report said.

The Sikh man had to earlier approach the court when his aspiration to be a part of the American president’s security received a blow due to his appearance, according to the publication. The job requires the personnel to be clean shaven and turban-less. However, the court then decided in his favor, the report added.

Bhatia’s family was a victim of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India, when they had to move from Kanpur to Ludhiana. He lost an uncle and a close relative in the riots when a frenzied mob attacked their house at KDA colony in Barra area of the Uttar Pradesh city, the HT report said.

Bhatia’s father Devendra Singh was severely injured in the incident, receiving three bullet wounds. The family moved to Ludhiana at the end of the year.

Bhatia was born in Ludhiana and his family eventually moved to the United States in the year 2000 when he was 10 years old.

Bhatia’s entry into Trump’s security team was hailed by members of the Sikh community in India and abroad. Hardeep Singh Puri, Indian Union Minister of State with Independent Charge in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, tweeted: “Sikh sangat is proud as he now becomes the first turbaned Sikh to be inducted into US President’s security detail.”

Ludhiana-born Anshdeep Singh Bhatia refused to change his 'looks' & went to court against this rider.

Sikh sangat is proud as he now becomes the first turbaned Sikh to be inducted into US President's security detail.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰੋਮਿ ਰੋਮਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਾਚਿ ਸਮਾਵੈ ॥੨੭॥ pic.twitter.com/cKGcUQyTCw

— Hardeep Singh Puri (मोदी का परिवार) (@HardeepSPuri) September 12, 2018

Bhatia’s relatives in Kanpur are also happy about his achievement. “Anshdeep’s devotion to his work was apparent from the fact that he visited his house for just five hours to attend the marriage of his sister because his training was going on when the marriage was slated. We all have congratulated his parents,” the publication quoted his uncle Kamaljeet Singh Bhatia as saying.

Ajeet Singh Bhatia, general secretary of Gurudwara Banno Sahib, told the publication that a special prayer has been arranged for his success in the new role.

In May this year, Gursoach Kaur became the first turbaned female auxiliary officer in the New York Police Department (NYPD).

In June, in a first for the over 250-year-old traditional event, a turban-wearing Sikh British soldier became part of the widely watched Trooping the Colour ceremony in the United Kingdom, which was held to mark the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.

Punjab-born Charanpreet Singh Lall of Coldstream Guards was among more than 1,000 soldiers who were part of the ceremony attended by the Queen and other members of royal family — the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The turban of Lall, 22, featured the ceremonial capstar to match the bearskin hats of his fellow soldiers.