Your Singhs today (Edmonton edition)

During the days of the Raj, particularly during World Wars I and II, the Sikhs of India (which included Pakistan, at that time), joined the British and Indian armies as drivers, mechanics, anything to do with motorized vehicles. There is no caste in Sikhism, so it seems they just naturally gravitated to such positions.

Nowadays Sikh drivers -- many of them graduates of the notorious Singh School of Truck Driving -- are to be found all over Canada and parts of the US of A, working as drivers of big rigs transporting drugs (and other things) across the World's Longest Undefended BorderTM and causing mayhem on the Interstate and provincial superhighways. See WWW passim. 

If they can't get work as truck drivers, some of them turn to driving for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. Not much to do with drugs there, but plenty of opportunity for horny Punjabis to exercise their belief that all white women are sexually available.

Case in point: Gurvinder Singh Pannu, 32, of Edmonton AB, now charged with sexual assault after an incident last summer. Edmonton cops allege that the assault happened around 0200 on 30 June 2024, when a woman ordered an Uber in the downtown area [perhaps to take her to a sunrise church service? Ed.]

A dark grey 2023 Nissan Rogue SUV picked her up near 109th St. and 101th Ave. During the trip, police allege the man driving the SUV stopped the vehicle and sexually assaulted the woman. It's not known when the victim came forward. However, a suspect was arrested and charged this last August 30th.

"Following a thorough investigation, we were able to successfully arrest and charge (a) suspect," said Constable Mughees Jutt (not a Sikh) with the Edmonton Police Service's southwest branch. "We unfortunately believe that there are others who have been impacted by this individual and we would like them to come forward so we can investigate and provide them with appropriate supports."

Mr Pannu was released under conditions including: not going to India or Pakistan for a holiday; not working for a ride sharing or taxi service; not having direct or indirect contact with the female complainant; and not possessing weapons, including knives and firearms. Whether "knives" includes the kirpan that all good Sikhs must wear at all times was not made clear.