First Sikh in US President Donald Trump's Security Cover: Ludhiana-born Anshdeep Singh Bhatia
The court order cleared all decks for Anshdeep's induction. His family, which moved to the US in 2000, was rejoiced by the verdict and called it a victory of the American values.
Washington, Sept 12: The US administration has inducted the first Sikh into the security cover of President Donald Trump. The 28-year-old, identified as Anshdeep Singh Bhatia, has Indian origins as he was born in Punjab's Ludhiana.
Anshdeep was selected for the elite security panel, guarding the United States premier, after he cleared the gruelling training exercise conducted by the United States Secret Service.
His induction, however, was stalled after the administration asked him to change his looks, including trimming or shaving off beard -- which is prohibited in Sikhism.
Anshdeep, however, moved the court against the riders on his elevation. The verdict was in his favour, with the bench upholding his right to religious freedom.
The court order cleared all decks for Anshdeep's induction. His family, which moved to the US in 2000, was rejoiced by the verdict and called it a victory of the American values.
Notably, Anshdeep's kin were victim of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot in India. During the pogrom, his uncle and a close relative were murdered at their Kanpur residence, whereas, his father survived after suffering three bullet injuries.
Following the riots , Anshdeep's grandfather, who was then an employee of the Punjab and Sind Bank, opted for a transfer to Ludhiana, where Sikhs are in majority.
In 2000, his father Devendra Singh moved with his family to the US. Anshdeep was 10 years old then.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2018 12:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).