‘They don’t even know my name’: Restaurant owner at wits end after persistent racial abuse
‘I don’t know what to do now’: Beloved Bellerive restaurant owner at wits end after persistent racial abuse. The latest attack:
Tasmania
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Threatening letters, vandalism and racially motivated harassment has plagued Bellerive business owner Jarnail “Jimmy” Singh for the past five years and recently his restaurant’s window was smashed for the second time.
Indian born Mr Singh is wondering where to next after repeatedly reporting the behaviour to police but still being targeted.
By day Mr Singh is a teacher and at night he runs the beloved Indian restaurant Dawat The Invitation at Bellerive.
Arriving at work last Thursday afternoon, staff member Sam Singh found one of the front windows smashed in.
He said he did not feel safe coming into work after the repeated attacks.
Mr Singh has no idea who is behind the repeated attacks, which have been ongoing since 2020.
In 2023 the Mercury reported several letters were sent to Mr Singh, which told him to “f... off back to India” and “this is our home not yours” as well as threats to his car.
Recently, a new female staff member was caught up in the harassment as she had borrowed Mr Singh’s car.
Menacing notes were posted to the staff members house, addressed to Mr Singh.
“Mr crybaby Singh,” the letter read.
“Iv [sic] now found where your car is parked. Ha ha ha. Big Crybaby Sook.”
Mr Singh said he and his staff were now “really scared” and have reported the issue to the police many times.
He said police instructed him to put up CCTV cameras inside and outside the restaurant.
Mr Singh has erected cameras inside, but he is not the owner of the building so does not have jurisdiction to set them up outside.
“I don’t know what to do now,” Mr Singh said.
“I have no idea who they are, and they don’t even know my name — they just know my car and rego details.”
A Tasmania police spokeswoman said police were investigating damage that was reported about 4.30pm on March 13.
She said Tasmania Police had responded to four reports of incidents at the location since 2020.
“There is no excuse for any form of verbal or physical abuse in our community, and people are encouraged to come forward and report matters to police where they believe they have been the victim of a prejudice-related incident,” the spokeswoman said.
“All reports of crimes are taken seriously, and people are encouraged to contact police in a timely manner so matters can be fully investigated.”
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Originally published as ‘They don’t even know my name’: Restaurant owner at wits end after persistent racial abuse
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