Sikh Community Takes Action in Hounslow Over Grooming Allegations
Nearly 200 Sikh men and women assembled outside a council flat in Hounslow, England, on Sunday night. They gathered to protest against a 34-year-old Afghan man. The protesters claimed this man was grooming a 16-year-old Sikh girl. This information comes from a report by the Times of India.
Parents Seek Help from Gurdwara
The parents of the schoolgirl contacted a Gurdwara in Slough. They requested help because they felt desperately worried about their daughter. She had left home to live with the man. According to the protesters, the girl had been meeting the man since she was 14 or 15 years old. They alleged she had been groomed during this time.
Confrontation Captured on Video
A video posted on Instagram showed a Sikh man from the group confronting the Afghan man on the stairs. The man shouted at him during the confrontation. He said, "You brainwashed and manipulated her. This isn't Afghanistan, this is England. Why can't you find someone of your own age?" The report quoted these exact words from the video.
Serious Accusations Leveled
The protesters made several serious accusations against the Afghan man. They alleged he kept the girl in his flat from 5 am to 10 pm. They claimed five or six other men were also present in the flat during these times. The Afghan man responded to these allegations. He stated he was in love with the girl. He also claimed he did not know her age. Livemint noted it could not independently verify this report.
Neighbor Reports Long-Term Concerns
A neighbor living nearby shared her observations with the reporters. She mentioned she had observed many underage girls entering the Afghan's flat over a nine-year period. She stated she reported this to the police multiple times. The neighbor expressed strong disapproval. She said, "There are about four guys in there. It's disgusting." The flat has a history of police raids for drugs. It is located near a school.
Protesters Express Frustration with Police
People gathered outside the flat shouted "Pedos out" during the protest. One protester voiced frustration with the police response. He said, "The parents have gone to the police many times and nothing is being done." Jaspal Singh from the group Shere Panjab was seen in a video knocking at the man's door. Police eventually arrived at the scene. They took the man away in a van. The girl returned to her family, who participated in the demonstration.
Community Leaders Speak Out
Jaspal Singh questioned the police's effectiveness. He said, "Why is it that Sikhs had to put a stop to this when police couldn't? This is disgraceful. We are doing the police's job. The Sikh community has been dealing with this for many years and we have had enough." Meanwhile, Sikh Youth UK has initiated a national inquiry. This inquiry focuses on Sikh victims of grooming gangs across the country.
