Sacked Sikh sues Disney for $1 million
Houston: A turban-wearing Sikh who was allegedly sacked by Walt Disney World for lacking the “Disney look” has sued the company for $1 million claiming he was discriminated against because of his religion.
Sukhbir Channa, 24, a practicing Sikh who wears a turban and a beard, filed the suit through his attorney Matt Sarelson in Hillsborough County Circuit Court in Florida.
In his suit, Channa said as a student University of South Florida he was hired in October 2005 as a seasonal college musician, which requires parade and atmospheric performances, the Orlando Business Journal reported.
In his performances, Channa said he wore a toy soldier hat to cover his head. In the atmospheric performances, he was initially allowed to wear a red turban in place of the red beret the other musicians wore.
However, even after rehearsing for both jobs, the lawsuit claimed Channa was removed from the atmospheric position because he lacked the “Disney look”. PTI
