Chandigarh, November 03, 2004
ANI
NRI Press
To aware their problem of Turban issue in France to the people of Punjab
a delegation of Sikh leaders from France reached India on Wednesday.
A delegation lead by Gurdial Singh reached Raja Sansi Airport was received
here by former Jathedar of Akal Takhat Ranjit Singh along with other
Sikh leaders.
Under their awareness program tour the delegation, initially rooming
in Punjab meet Chief Minister of Punjab along with other Sikh leadership
of Punjab to make sufficient pressure on the government of France to
sort out the turban issue in their country.
Recently the Indian government has also taken serious note of concern
among the Sikhs over a possible ban on their turbans in the light of
a French move to prohibit religious garments in public institutions
and senior officials from the ministry of external affairs had had a
meeting with the French ambassador Dominique Gerard here and have also
intimated the Indian embassy in France to intercede in the matter.
Gurdial Singh leader of the delegation stated that the issue was related
with the religious sentiments of Sikhs as turban was one of the essential
part of Sikhs life and one of Ks'. " we are here to make people
aware of their problem and appeal them to help us by increasing pressure
the France government to left out the ban' said he".
Former Jathedar of Akal Takhat Bhai Ranjit Singh remarked that turbans
for the Sikhs were central to their identity. "No one is allowed
to enter a Gurdwara bare head. Turbans are not merely a cultural headgear
but the very signature of Sikh identity, so we should come together
to help the Sikhs of France to get out of their problem".