Narrator
In the criminal justice system, offenses against Sikhs are considered especially heinous. In London, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Sikh Victims Unit. These are their stories.
*CHUNK CHUNK*
(Scene opens in a London street with a turbaned man standing over a woman’s prone body.)
Jagdeesh Singh
Help! Help! My sister has been murdered!
(A white, female police officer approaches.)
Ch Supt Joanna Young
What seems to be be the problem, guv’nor?
Jagdeesh Singh
It’s one of those so-called “honour killings”!
Ch Supt Joanna Young
Is that even a crime in this country, guv’nor?
Jagdeesh Singh
Where’s a Sikh officer?!
(Palbinder Singh, no relation, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Sikh Association, comes running.)
Palbinder Singh
Please, sir, what is the problem?
Jagdeesh Singh
My sister has been “honour killed”! And this white officer is doing nothing to help!
Palbinder Singh
I don’t believe a white officer is ever going to be fully conversant with a Sikh. Especially in a case like this, where Punjabi culture is itself the issue. It’s good that you called for the SVU, sir.
(Another Sikh, Sharan Kaur, overhears the conversation and walks up.)
Sharan Kaur
Wait a minute. It doesn’t matter what religion, what creed, colour you are, you need to be aware of issues that people deal with.
Palbinder Singh
No, sir, it’s about understanding and appreciating difference.
Sharan Kaur
What’s next? Muslim officers for Muslim crimes? Do you really want to separate communities like that?
Palbinder Singh
Sir, you can accuse me of separating communities, but your criticism doesn’t worry me.
Ch Supt Joanna Young
Well, I guess my work here is done. Are there any white victims of crime who need my help? Anyone? Guv’nor?
(Scene fades)
IN MEMORY OF
SURJIT ATHWAL
This is fiction, surely.