1.2277553-2304095726
Anshdeep Singh Bhatia, Picture taken from Twitter @GurlivSingh6

Dubai: Ludhiana-born Anshdeep Singh Bhatia just became the first Sikh to be inducted into US President Donald Trump’s security team. Twitter users shared his story and congratulated him.

According to a report by the Indian newspaper Hindustan Times, Bhatia moved to the US in the year 2000 and always dreamt of being a part of the President’s security squad. However, he faced a hurdle when he was told to “change his looks”. Determined, he then moved the court and a decision was made in his favour. In a picture that surfaced online, Bhatia is seen at a police ceremony, wearing his turban.

Hardeep Singh Suri (@HardeepSPuri), India’s current Union Minister of State with Independent Charge in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs tweeted: “Ludhiana-born Anshdeep Singh Bhatia refused to change his ‘looks’ and went to court against this rider. Sikh sangat (community) is proud as he now becomes the first turbaned Sikh to be inducted into US President’s security detail.”

On social media, people praised him for this achievement and called the moment a matter of pride.

Tweep @americanturban also wrote: “... After he was told he ‘had to change his looks’ in order to join, he went to court and apparently secured an accommodation.”

He was inducted last week after completing his “gruelling training” in the States.

According to the newspaper report: “His family moved to Ludhiana from Kanpur during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He lost his uncle and a close relative after the frenzied mob stormed their house in Kanpur’s KDA Colony in Barra.”