Nirmal Singh

A 70-year-old Sikh man named Nirmal Singh, who was visiting from India, was brutally attacked in Queens, New York, in an incident that is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Singh was punched in the face by an unidentified assailant while he was out for a walk. Despite suffering a broken nose and severe bruising, the attacker did not utter any words during the assault. Singh was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The Sikh Coalition, an advocacy group, has been providing Singh with free legal aid and is working closely with the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force on the case. Disturbing photos of the incident show bloodstains on Singh's beard and clothing. Although the attack is being examined as a potential bias crime, there has been limited coverage of this incident in mainstream media. No arrests have been made thus far, and the investigation is ongoing.

It is important to note that this incident occurred in the context of a surge in hate crimes against Asians, with a 73 percent increase reported between 2019 and 2020, according to FBI data. Despite this alarming trend, there has been minimal attention from mainstream media outlets regarding the attack on Nirmal Singh. The lack of broader coverage raises concerns about the recognition and visibility of racially motivated attacks targeting the Indian community.

Efforts to address such incidents and combat violent hate should be supported by comprehensive media coverage and public awareness. The incident involving Nirmal Singh highlights the ongoing struggle faced by marginalized communities, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and action against hate crimes.