patkaThis happened only a couple towns over from where I currently live and where I grew up, so I’m particularly shocked by this. Lighting another student on fire is unbelieveable, and lighting a student’s turban on fire is even harder to imagine.

The school has already taken steps to resolve the situation — including the permanent dismissal of the perpetrator. The Sikh Coalition is to be applauded for its quick action in this case.

Princeton Packet: High school incident sparks national attention

Newsday: Sikh group wants anti-bias action after turban set afire

Hightstown teen accused of setting fire to student’s turban dismissed from school

The last time something like this happened, it was in Marlboro, NJ. Here’s the Sikh Coalition’s summary of it, and here’s a decent article about it: Speaker offers insight to ancient Sikh religion –
Incident at Marlboro Middle School prompts lesson for student leaders. I’d certainly be happy to help in any way I can.

Update 6/9/08: Looks like the perpetrator was permanently dismissed from the school and charged with a hate crime. Click for more details.