Indian politician Harsimrat Kaur Badal has asked External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take up the case of Indian truck driver Harjinder Singh with the US government.
In a video message, Badal said the minister should ensure Singh can wear his dastar (turban) and protect him from being treated like a murderer. She admitted that Singh made a serious mistake that led to the death of three people in Florida, but stressed, “he is not a murderer and should not be treated as such.”
Punjab Leaders Raise Community Concerns
Punjab’s Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora also appealed to Jaishankar to intervene. He raised concerns after the US temporarily paused work visas for foreign truck drivers.
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Arora acknowledged Singh’s mistake but warned that the entire Punjabi trucking community in the US should not be punished for the actions of one person. He said nearly 1.5 lakh Punjabis are working in the US trucking industry and emphasized their contribution to the US economy. He urged India’s Ministry of External Affairs to work with American authorities to find a solution.
Charges Against Harjinder Singh
Harjinder Singh, arrested in California, is being held in a Florida jail. He faces three counts of manslaughter and three counts of vehicular homicide under Florida law; each vehicular homicide charge can carry up to 15 years in prison.
US officials revealed Singh entered the country illegally through Mexico in 2018, but later received a commercial driver’s license in California and Washington. There are conflicting claims about his work permit. California’s governor said he got it during Trump’s presidency, but Homeland Security stated it was denied in 2020 and only approved in 2021 under Biden.
Public Debate Online
Singh’s case has sparked intense debate on social media. A petition asking for his release has over 2 million signatures, arguing the crash was an accident and he should not be punished too harshly.
His deportation is demanded in a counterpetition, which also claims that foreign truck drivers should be subject to more stringent checks and that he must face the US legal system.
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Critics worry that defending Singh too strongly could encourage leniency in cases that risk public safety.
The case is now not just a legal matter. It has become a political and diplomatic issue, involving immigration, workers’ rights, and public safety in the US. With petitions growing and Indian leaders pushing for intervention, the outcome of Harjinder Singh’s case will be closely watched both in India and abroad.
