UNITED SIKHS Australia Welcomes Strong Parliamentary Voice Against Anti-Sikh Hate

Perth, Western Australia

UNITED SIKHS Australia welcomes the statement made by Hon Sophie McNeill MLC in the Western Australian Legislative Council on 22 October 2026, acknowledging the alleged anti-Sikh hate crime that occurred at a shopping centre in Perth’s south-east on 15 October 2026.

In her remarks to Parliament, Ms McNeill stated:

“I note that last week a member of our community, a Sikh man who was at a shopping centre in Perth’s south, had his turban ripped off in front of his family.”

We commend Hon Sophie McNeill MLC for using her parliamentary platform to highlight this deeply concerning incident and for standing in solidarity with members of minority communities who experience acts of hatred, discrimination, and religious intolerance. Public recognition of such incidents is vital to ensuring that hate-motivated behaviour is neither overlooked nor normalised.

The incident involved a Sikh father who was leaving a shopping centre with his wife and their nine-month-old child when an unknown male allegedly approached him from behind, forcibly removed his Dastar (turban), and fled the scene. The incident occurred in broad daylight and in the presence of his young family. A formal complaint has been lodged with Western Australia Police, and investigations are ongoing.

For Sikhs, the Dastar is far more than a piece of clothing. It is a sacred article of faith that represents dignity, honour, identity, equality, and commitment to Sikh values. The deliberate removal of a Sikh’s turban is not only a personal violation but can also constitute a profound act of religious humiliation that impacts the wider Sikh community.

UNITED SIKHS Australia has been providing support to the affected family, assisting them throughout the reporting process and engaging with relevant authorities. We continue to advocate for a thorough investigation and for appropriate recognition of the religiously motivated nature of this alleged attack.

While Western Australia is proudly home to a diverse and multicultural society, incidents such as these serve as a reminder that prejudice and hate remain a reality for some communities.

We sincerely thank Hon Sophie McNeill MLC for bringing this matter before Parliament and for demonstrating leadership in raising awareness of anti-Sikh hate and religious discrimination. Such acknowledgement sends an important message that attacks targeting a person’s faith or identity have no place in our community.

UNITED SIKHS Australia remains committed to engaging constructively with government, law enforcement, and community stakeholders to combat hate and uphold the fundamental right of every Australian to practise their faith free from fear and discrimination.

We encourage anyone who experiences racism, discrimination, or a hate-related incident to report it to the relevant authorities and seek support.