A proposed ban on visible religious symbols in schools in France has evoked a lot of interest among the readers, since turban-wearing boys could also be affected when this ban is enforced. This special section has been created to collate developments and information on the issue.
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France expels 3 Sikh
students
Paris, December 17
Forty-three students, including three Sikh boys, have been
expelled from their schools in France after refusing to comply
with a new law outlawing religious insignia in state-run
educational institutions, officials said today.
— AFP |
Turban
issue: SGPC chief decries govt’s lack of support
Begowal
(Kapurthala), June 1
Unhappy over the lack of government support to the turban issue in
France, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has initiated direct
liaison with the French government in this regard.
SGPC
toes DSGMC line on turban issue
Amritsar,
May 22
The SGPC seems to have adopted the line of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara
Management Committee at least on ‘turban issue’. The decision to put
off the visit of SGPC delegation to France has been taken in order to
involve the Central Government.
World-wide
protest planned against French ban
Chandigarh,
May 18
Sikhs the world over would be protesting the ban imposed by the French
authorities on wearing turbans. Revealing this here today, Shiromani
Akali Dal General Secretary, Onkar Singh Thapar said that Sikhs living
in India as well as abroad would march up to French embassies located in
respective countries and lodge their protest.
Turban
issue: Sikh delegation to visit France
Chandigarh, May 13
A delegation of eminent Sikhs will
go to France next week to take up the turban issue with various human
rights organisations and religious bodies in that country.
Sikhs
in Europe rally on turban issue
London, May
10
Sikhs in Europe are preparing to gather in front of the European
Parliament in Strasbourg tomorrow in their bid to win the right to wear
the turban which was banned in France and Germany.
Mann
flays SAD for writing to PM over France visit
Sangrur, May
8
Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal
(Amritsar), today criticised the SAD leadership, especially Mr Sukhdev
Singh Dhindsa, secretary-general, for writing a letter to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh asking him to seek time from the French Government for a
deputation of the SAD MPs and representatives of the SGPC which wanted
to visit France to have discussions with the government over the turban
issue.
SAD
writes to PM over visit to France
Sangrur, May
6
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has written a letter to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, asking him to seek time from the Education Minister of
France for a deputation of SAD MPs and representatives of the SGPC,
which wants to visit France to have discussions with the French
Government over the turban issue.
Sikh
body for resolution on turban issue
Amritsar,
April 6
Dr Manjit Singh Randhawa, president, Sikh Nation Organisation, today
urged Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, to move a resolution in the
current session of the Punjab Assembly to express concern of the people
of Punjab over Human Rights violations in France.
Victim
of French ban on turban seeks help from Sikhs
Chandigarh, March 27
Jasvir Singh, a Sikh student who
was expelled from a public school in France for wearing turban, his
mother Surjit Kaur and his brother Karamvir Singh have come to Punjab to
seek help of Sikh politicians and religious leaders.
Another
worry for Sikhs on turban issue
Chandigarh,
February 28
Another worry has started troubling the minds of European Sikhs, who
have been shocked by the ban imposed by the French Government on turban
in schools there.
All
is not lost yet on turban issue
Chandigarh,
February 8
On the turban issue in France, all is not lost yet. Another opportunity
is around to build pressure on the French Government to get the Act,
that was passed banning the turban in public schools there last year,
abrogated.
Ambala
man victim of French rigidity on turban
Chandigarh,
February 14
Besides Sikh students in schools, Mr Ranjit Singh has also become a
victim of the French Government. Mr Ranjit Singh, who had gone to France
in March, 1991, from Ambala has paid the price for refusing to get
photographed without turban.
Hearing
in turban case in France on Feb 11
Amritsar,
February 2
The ban on turban in French schools had hogged the limelight in recent
months. However, the French Sikhs are continuing their struggle to be
able to freely support turbans in their day-to-day life and not face any
discrimination on this count.
US
clarification on Sikhs hailed
Ludhiana,
December 16
The Khalsa Panchayat has hailed the Justice department of the USA
Government for issuing a poster about the Sikhs in which it has
clarified their (Sikhs’) identity. In a statement issued here today,
the urban district unit president of the Khalsa Panchayat, Mr Bhupinder
Singh Nimana, said the poster would go a long way in clearing the
misgivings about the Sikhs in the USA.
US
initiative to explain turbans
AMERICANS are being asked by their Justice
Department to get acquainted with the turbans and other head coverings
like patkas and hijabs. Post 9/11, there have been a number of attacks
against people of colour, especially those who wear distinctive ethnic
clothing.
French
turban law silly, says UK jurist
New Delhi,
November 28
The French law banning the wearing of religious symbols, including
turban, came in for criticism from Lord Slynn of Hadley, an eminent
jurist. He termed the French law as “silly” and it “violated the
human rights” of individuals and should be challenged.
SGPC
to issue white paper on turban issue
Jalandhar, November 27
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder
Singh Vedanti, said today that a white paper would be issued by the
SGPC, which would highlight all aspects relating to the turban and its
ban in France.
Canada
Sikhs urged to unite on turban issue
Amritsar, November 26
Bibi Jagir Kaur, President,
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, today urged the Sikhs residing
in Canada to unite on the turban issue. The Canada Sikhs have been
protesting against the ban on wearing turban in front of the French
Embassy in Canada.
Sikhs
may establish school in France
Amritsar,
November 23
A delegation of French Sikhs here to mobilise support against the turban
ban by the French government in schools, has decided to establish a Sikh
school, should the ban continue. Talking to the Press here yesterday,
the delegation stated that Sikhs were perturbed over the ban.
Exploit
trade ties to resolve turban row: Ravi Inder
Moga,
November 18
The Centre should exploit its trade relations with France to resolve the
turban issue which has affected thousands of Sikhs staying there. The
Akali Dal (Ravi Inder) president, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, said this while
addressing a Sikh convention organised to mark the 11th death
anniversary of Akali leader Baba Joginder Singh at Rode village, near
here, today.
European
Sikhs approach EU on turban issue
 Chandigarh,
November 15
Unhappy over the lukewarm response from the Indian Government and the
SGPC to resolve the turban issue, European Sikhs have started building
up pressure on the European Union to get the issue resolved in France.
Sikhs settled in European countries have collectively approached the
Union to ask the French Government to allow Sikh students to wear
turbans in government schools there.
How
does the turban threaten the French, asks M.S. Gill
Chandigarh,
November 10
Congress Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament M.S. Gill yesterday wondered
why France was afraid of “chuni” that the Muslim girls used to cover
their heads or how their uncovered heads would make France “safer”
in any way.
It’s
not turban, but mindset is the issue, Monsieur
THE
expulsion of three Sikh students from a French school in Bobigny casts a
reflection on French laws and values. They have been thrown out of
school simply because they wear a turban.
French
Sikhs meet Sonia
 New
Delhi, November 9
Congress President Sonia Gandhi
today assured a delegation of Sikhs from France that the turban issue
would be taken up through diplomatic and other channels.
Members of the French Sikh
delegation discuss the turban issue with Congress President Sonia Gandhi
at her residence in New Delhi on Tuesday.
— Tribune photo by Rajeev Tyagi
Sikhs
from France call on Tarlochan
New Delhi,
November 9
A delegation of Sikhs from France called on National Commission for
Minorities Chairman Tarlochan Singh here today and impressed upon him
that a high-powered delegation from India should visit France before the
new law on the turban issue comes up for review in March next year.
Opinions
page
Dress and discrimination
Legal wrangles over the turban
by M.S. Rahi
THE
turban of the Sikhs is once again caught in a controversy. The Sikhs
have proved everywhere else — from the UK, Canada to the US — that
they have a fundamental and inalienable right to wear their turban in
all situations of life.
 Sikh
leadership complicated turban issue: Dr Rai
Amritsar,
November 7
Dr Jasdev Singh Rai, International Adviser to Jathedar Akal Takht, has
given firsthand information about the series of meetings he had with the
Government of France to resolve the turban issue.
Call
to all Sikhs to rally round French Sikhs
New Delhi,
November 7
Sikhs in the Capital today decided to press upon the international
community and urged Sikhs all over the world to join hands to fight for
the “just cause of French Sikhs”.
Three
Sikhs expelled from school in France
Paris, November 6
Three Sikh students were expelled
from school for refusing to remove their turbans, the first time Sikhs
were forced out under a new law banning conspicuous religious signs and
apparel in the classroom, their lawyer said.
French
Sikhs in India to mobilise support on turban issue
Chandigarh,
November 5
He left his nationality for changing name to that of a Sikh. Now Darshan
Singh was in India, all the way from France, along with other Sikhs, for
creating awareness and mobilising support on the turban issue.
Sikhs
from France to meet SGPC chief today
 Amritsar,
November 3
Even as the deadline fixed by a French court to decide the fate of three
Sikh students of a suburban Paris school whether they would be expelled
or allowed to cover their uncut hair despite a new ban on religious
symbols will end tomorrow, a delegation of Sikhs from France arrived
here to make a last ditch effort to pressurise the French Government
through Indian Prime Minister and the SGPC.
A delegation of Sikhs from
France is being received by Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar of Akal
Takht, at Amritsar airport, on Wednesday.
— Photo by Rajiv Sharma
PM
takes up turban issue with French Foreign Minister
New Delhi, October 28
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had personally taken up the issue of the
Sikh community’s turban issue in France with visiting Foreign
Minister Michel Barnier. Dr Manmohan Singh informed Mr Barnier that
wearing turbans was a religious symbol for the Sikhs and not an item
of display.
Sikh
turban and French law
It’s unfair to ignore
minority sentiments
by Subhash C. Jain
THE
objective of any law has to be the welfare of people. It is not an
empty exercise and is meant to fill a gap in law. No law can aim at
bringing about only uniformity in law with a view to covering all
communities if its basic purpose is not to subserve the even tempo of
society as a whole.
Decide
turban issue by Nov 5, French court tells school
Paris, October 22
A French court ordered a suburban
Paris school today to hold a disciplinary hearing to decide whether
three Sikh pupils would be expelled or allowed to cover their uncut
hair despite a new ban on religious signs.
France
misled India on turban issue: DSGMC
New Delhi, October 9
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara
Management Committee, which has decided to move the European Court of
Human Rights against the French law banning wearing of turban by Sikhs
in government institutions, today accused Paris of having mislead the
Indian Government on the issue.
DSGMC
to move European Court on turban issue
New Delhi,
October 8
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has decided to move the
European Court of Human Rights against the French law banning the
wearing of turban by Sikhs in government institutions.
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Sikh
students of a school in France
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Sikh
body stays put on turban issue
Patiala,
September 27
The Sikh Nation Organisation (SNO) today refused to accept any
compromise on the right to wear turban and religious symbols and decided
to intensify its stir against turban ban by the French Government.
PM’s
claim on turban row an eyewash, says Badungar
Phagwara,
September 26
Former SGPC president and a co-opted SGPC member Prof Kirpal Singh
Badungar Prof today said that nine minister PM Dr Manmohan Singh’s
claim that the turban now in France was resolved was an eye wash. He
made this claims in New York yesterday.
French
Sikhs feel cheated
Patiala,
September 23
Sikhs in France claim that they have been fooled into believing that the
issue of tying of turban by Sikh children in schools would be addressed
to their satisfaction by the French Government.
Turban
issue almost solved, says French envoy
New Delhi, September 16
The turban issue, has been solved
amicably with all Sikh students, except three, returning to their
schools, claimed the French Ambassador to India, Dominique Girard.
“Only three cases remain pending today and dialogue is being pursued
with the three students concerned,” he said in a communication to the
National Commission for Minorities.
French
assurance to Ashwani Kumar on turban issue
New Delhi, September 14
Rajya Sabha MP Ashwani Kumar has made a forceful plea to France to
address sympathetically the issue of Sikh children wearing turbans in
French schools. Mr Kumar while
addressing a visiting Indo-French parliamentary friendship group, said
the issue was sensitive.
Turban
issue: Sikhs plan demonstration in NY
Patiala, September 13
Few Sikh students have been able to get entry into schools in and around
Paris wearing a handkerchief as headgear, even as a majority continue to
be denied entry into schools even though they presented themselves
sporting a shorter version of the turban or even a “patka”.
Centre
urged to take up turban ban with France
Amritsar,
September 8
Mr Alwinderpal Singh Pakhoke, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak
Committee, urged the Central Government to take up the ban on turban by
the French Government without delay.
Sikh
boys refused entry into French schools
Paris, September 7
France’s small Sikh community is
in an uproar after five of its boys were refused entry to state schools
under a new law barring pupils from wearing conspicuous religious
symbols in class.
Govt
urged to take up turban ban issue with France
Jalandhar, September 7
Dubbing the clamping of ban on headgear of Sikhs in France by the French
Government as a grave and unjustified attack on the religious freedom of
Sikhs, the Shiromani Akali Dal today urged the UPA-led Central
Government to take up the case of Sikhs with the French government.
Turbaned
students not allowed entry into French schools, says Sikh body
Patiala,
September 4
Despite claims by the Indian government that it had received assurances
from its French counterpart that Sikh students would be allowed to wear
turbans to school, turbaned youths were either not allowed to enter
schools or were made to sit in segregated classrooms after the start of
the new academic session on September 2.
Protest against ban on turban by French Government
Mohali,
September 4
More than 150 Sikh men and women today rallied in the township to
protest against the French Government’s ban on headgear in their
country. The protesters also raised the issue of Sikh women being forced
by the Chandigarh traffic police to wear helmets.
SGPC workers take out a
protest rally against the France Government’s ban on turban, at Mohali
on Saturday.
— Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari
EDITORIAL
Would President
Chirac refuse to meet Dr Manmohan Singh?
Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh's announcement, on Wednesday, that he was "hopeful of a
positive outcome" for turban-wearing Sikhs in France is welcome.
The French government's ban on all visible religious symbols, including
headscarves, large crosses and turbans, has been objected to not only by
the Sikhs, but has also created a worldwide controversy.
 Mann
gets French reply on turban issue
Chandigarh, March 23
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)
president Simranjit Singh Mann has received a reply from French Foreign
Minister Dominique de Villepin on the turban issue that he had raised
with him. Mr Villepin informed that the “law project on turban will
not be in effect until the following school season in September and
hence this time should be used in removing all kinds of
misunderstanding”.
 Sikhs
protest against French ban
London, February 21
British Sikhs today protested in
front of the French Embassy at Knightsbridge here against the planned
ban on religious symbols in state-run schools in France. The huge
protest was a show of solidarity with the French Sikhs. Among those
protesting were Sikh veterans of World War II who fought for France
wearing turbans. The demonstration was jointly organised by the Akhand
Kirtani Jatha (AKJ), UK and the British Sikh Council. Mr Jagroop Singh
of the AKJ said Labour MPs John McDonnell, Bob Ainsworth, and Fiona
MacTaggart were expected to join the protest.
Young Sikhs demonstrate against the French government's planned ban on
students wearing headscarves and all other overt religious symbols in
state schools, near the French Embassy in London on Saturday. —
Reuters photo
France
may compromise on turban issue
New Delhi, February
13
Faced with a storm of protest
from Sikhs, France today indicated early redressal of their
grievances regarding sanctions on the turban as part of the
anti-veil law. “We need to solve this (the Sikh) problem,”
visiting Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin told reporters
immediately after his meeting with Union Minister Sukhdev Singh
Dhindsa and National Commission for Minorities chairman Tarlochan
Singh at a hotel to exclusively discuss the turban issue. |
French Foreign Minister Dominique
de Villepin with (from left) SGPC General Secretary S.S. Bhaur,
Union Minister S.S. Dhindsa and Mr Tarlochan Singh in New Delhi on
Friday. — PTI |
Sikh
children demonstrate against ban on turban
Amritsar,
February 12
Sikh children wearing
traditional saffron and blue ‘dastars’ (turbans) held a
demonstration at the entrance of the Golden Temple protesting
against the “turban ban” in primary schools of France. The
demonstration was organised today under the aegis of Culture
and Heritage Conservation Initiative” (CHCI) and Sikh
organisations to mark and coincide with the visit of French
Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin to India. |
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| Sikh children
hold a demonstration against the ban on turban in France, near
the Golden Temple in Amritsar, on Thursday. The protest
coincides with the visit of French Foreign Minister Dominique de
Villepin to India. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma |
Sinha
to take up turban issue with French minister
New Delhi, February 12
The proposed French ban on wearing
ostensible religious symbols in public schools has been listed on the
agenda of the talks between visiting French Foreign Minister Dominique
de Villepin and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha.
French
Minister’s assurance on turban
Amritsar, February 10
French Foreign Minister has given
an assurance to a delegation of Sikhs that the ban on turban would be
looked into. Mr Chain Singh, president of Singh Sabha Gurdwara in
France and senior leader of the SAD (Amritsar) stated today after
arrival from France.
French
lower House votes to ban head scarves
Paris, February 10
France’s lower House of parliament today voted overwhelmingly to ban
students from wearing Islamic head scarves and other religious apparel
in public schools.
Ban
on religious symbols will apply to schools only: French Ambassador
by Tripti Nath
Soon
after his posting to India in 2002 as Ambassador of France, Mr
Dominique Girard got busy with the visit of French Prime Minister Jean
Pierre Raffarin. The little that he has seen of India right from
Amritsar, Chandigarh and Varanasi in the North to Chennai and
Thiruvanthapuram in the South, he has found its cultural diversity
fascinating.
SGPC
writes to French President on turban
Amritsar, February 8
SGPC secretary Manjit Singh
Calcutta has urged the French President to withdraw legislation
banning wearing of turban by Sikhs. The secretary said that in the
case of Sikhs, turban is unique compared to other religions.
Tarlochan
seeks meeting with French minister
New Delhi, February 7
National Commission for Minorities Chairperson Tarlochan Singh has
made a formal request for a meeting with French Minister of Foreign
Affairs Dominique de Villepin during the latter's visit to India in
the coming week.
Tohra
writes to Annan on turban issue
Amritsar,
February 4
Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC president, today urged
Secretary-General UNO Kofi Annan to issue an advisory note to all
countries with special reference to France to treat Sikhs as religious
and cultural minority and therefore guarantee all facilities under its
declarations to protect their religious beliefs.
Sikh
Forum submits memo to French envoy on turban issue
New Delhi,
February 4
The Sikh Forum and the Sikh Core Group Delhi Chapter has submitted a
memorandum on ‘Turban as a basic religious value for Sikhs’ to the
Ambassador of France in India.
Mann
presents memorandum on turban issue
Phagwara, February 3
SAD (A) President and MP
Simranjit Singh Mann submitted a two-page memorandum to Mr Dominique
Dedvilletin, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Government of France, on
January 29 on the turban issue during his visit to Paris.
Turban
ban issue raised in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, February 3
A senior Congress member today sought the intervention of the Indian
Government in the wake of reports that France had banned Sikh students
from wearing turbans.
Bishop
of Paris to take up turban issue
Patiala, February 2
National Minorities Commission
Chairman Tarlochan Singh today said the turban row in Paris was likely
to be resolved soon with the Bishop of Paris set to taking up the
issue with the French government.
Blunkett
to discuss Sikh identity issue with French Government
Amritsar, February 1
The British Home Secretary, Mr
David Blunkett, here today said that he would take up the Sikh
identity issue with the French Government.
Europe
Sikhs hold protest
Paris, January 31
A Paris boulevard became a sea of
coloured turbans today as Sikhs from across Europe marched to defend
their traditional headgear against a looming French ban on religious
symbols in state schools.
Pope
supports Sikhs on turban issue
Chandigarh, January 30
The government cannot be an
arbiter in any religious matter. Rather it should respect the dignity
of the human person and of his inalienable rights among which his
right to adhere, practise and propagate his religion is fundamental.
French
Sikhs upbeat about turbans
Paris, January 22
France's small Sikh community
grew confident yesterday as its boys could continue to wear turbans to
state schools after talks with officials to explain their headgear was
not a religious symbol taboo under a looming ban.
Move
to ban the turban in France
An open letter to French President Jacques Chirac
Your excellency, President Chirac
AS one of the 25 million Sikhs worldwide, and as a soldier-writer who
from time to time centrestages issues concerning his community in
India, I would wish you to kindly reconsider the proposed legislation
banning the turban in government schools and offices in your country.
Contentious
coverings
France in flux over move to ban
scarves
THE
recent move, endorsed by the French President, Mr Jacques Chirac, to ban
the wearing of religious symbols in state schools has managed to unite
the minorities there.
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