‘…Overt rise of neo-fascism’: Facebook post by victim.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
Security personnel kicked a young turbaned Sikh man out of the overnight queue to watch the Wimbledon tennis championships last week citing that he had made others feel uncomfortable. The 20-year-old man, who does not wish to be identified, took to Facebook to express his anger.
“Kicked out of the overnight camping line for center court Wimbledon line ‘because you make some people around you uncomfortable, so we’re gonna have to report you and ask you to leave immediately sir,†he wrote.
“All I wanted was to peacefully chill and patiently await an opportunity to re-enter the hallowed grounds and see the decorated surface while Roger and Milos scamper and glide across it,’ he added.
He alleged that the act was an incident of racism that has been inching up after the Brexit referendum. “Post-Brexit racism and the overt rise of neo-fascism. Please advise how best to report this,†he said.
The man, who wants to be a professional tennis player, was eventually allowed to enter the ground after a few hours. He has filed a complaint with the authorities.
“I felt awful. I felt like I should’ve fought and negotiated but I backed down and silently left. I don’t feel like I’m ever going back now. It’s still one of my favorite tournaments but can no longer definitively say it’s a lifelong dream to play on center court,†he told Metro.
He said that he was talking to people who were alone in the queue and everything was fine. Nobody gave him any gesture indicating that he should have stopped talking. Then a security personnel approached him and asked to go out as he was making others uncomfortable.
“We can confirm that a gentleman was asked to leave The Queue at 4.42am this morning (Friday) after a number of complaints from his fellow queuers about his behavior,†a Wimbledon spokesperson was quoted as saying by Metro.
The official said that the man was warned about his behavior up to six times in different occasions during this year’s championship.
“We do acknowledge, however, that in this instance the event safety staff could have provided a better explanation to him. Happily, the same person has been in the Grounds today (Friday) watching the tennis,†the spokesperson said.