JALANDHAR, NOVEMBER 27, 2004
PTI
Terming the ban on wearing turbans in France as "inhuman,"
Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti on Saturday said the highest
decision-making body of the Sikhs would soon issue a white paper on
the strategy to be adopted by community leaders to persuade the French
authorities to lift the ban.
"Before formalizing a strategy to be adopted to tackle the turban
issue, religious Sikh organizations, Shiromani Akali Dal and other related
organizations will be summoned to Akal Takht to take them into confidence,"
Vedanti, who was here to attend a seminar on the turban issue, told
reporters.
Asked about the period by which the white paper would be issued, he
said "white paper will be issued very soon and I am confident that
it will be strong enough to solve the issue once for all".
Terming the law which bans wearing turban in France as "inhuman",
Vedanti said perhaps the French authorities "do not understand
the sanctity of the issue and feelings of Sikhs also."
Vedanti parried a question whether the Akal Takht was satisfied over
the steps taken by the Centre on the issue, saying that since it was
an international issue, the Akal Takht would seek the help of the government
also.
When pointed out that the French law was not particularly against Sikhs
but also against other religious symbols, he said initially Akal Takht
would raise the issue of ban on turban only and if needed, later on
a joint platform could be built to raise the common cause of all religions.
Vedanti also said that the SGPC must devise a plan to legally defend
the right of the Sikh community. "The SGPC must ensure that it
should continue to fight for the Sikh turban till the French government
does not take the draconian law back."