Elderly Sikh men assaulted by teenagers in UK, turban ‘removed forcibly’; 3 arrested

Two elderly Sikh men were assaulted outside Wolverhampton Railway Station in the United Kingdom on Friday, August 15. The incident occurred at around 1:45 pm, with videos showing one victim lying on the ground without his turban while the other was repeatedly kicked and punched. Both men were taken to hospital for treatment and discharged later.

British Transport Police confirmed three suspects, aged 17, 19 and 25, were arrested in connection with the assault and later released on bail pending further investigation. Police said the attack is being treated as a racially aggravated hate crime and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

According to a statement from the Sikh Federation UK, the two victims were local taxi drivers on duty outside the station. The group said three men approached one of the drivers and demanded to be taken to Oldbury. When the driver explained they would have to book from the taxi rank, the men allegedly used abusive language and then attacked the two drivers.

Sikh leaders in India and the UK condemned the assault. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal described it as a “horrific attack” and said that one victim’s turban was forcibly removed. He urged India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to raise the issue with the UK government. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also called the attack a hate crime and appealed for action to ensure the safety of Sikhs abroad.

Local Member of Parliament Sureena Brackenridge said her thoughts were with those affected. She described Wolverhampton as a diverse and resilient city and urged residents to remain united while authorities continue the investigation.