M A I L B A G

Sarkozy’s statement offers hope

French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s statement on the turban could not have been put more succinctly: “The turban is not banned in France. Use of religious symbols in certain situations is prohibited”. Obviously, if the Sikhs continue to insist the turban is a religious symbol, it will be prohibited where religious symbols are banned. If they can find a different term for the turban, then the possibility of a solution arises.

Sarkozy reportedly suggested to Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani that the issue would be examined in France. Apparently, the door is not closed. The situation is, however, complicated. The Sikhs’ right to wear turban in the US and to some extent in India, is based on it being described as religious.

To describe it otherwise could dilute the protection in US. Clearly, different countries have different legal provisions. The Sikhs in France should resolve this issue locally now. The international Sikh lobby, especially the major Sikh bodies in India, have expressed their concern to the French President.

JASDEV SINGH RAI, Director, Sikh Human Rights Group (On e-mail)

II

The editorial “Lift the ban on turban” (Jan 26) has gone too far by alluding to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s turban in its advocacy for the Sikh students’ right to wear it in the French schools. Apparently, the French Government banned the turban more because of it not conforming to their school dress code and security than of its being a religious symbol. The Sikh clergy and various Akali outfits are exploiting this issue for partisan ends.

If the turban is so integral to the dress of Sikhs, what about the five Ks? They carry more religious sanctity than the turban. Most Sikhs living abroad are not insisting on wearing them because of their incompatibility with the climatic conditions and the working places. Who will wear kachha (knickers) in the sub-zero temperature in Europe?

Sadly, we are making fetish of symbols and signs associated with the religions rather than following the teachings and morals contained in them. For example, Sikhism prohibits casteism. Why are the Sikh leaders not raising their voice against this social evil? There are Dalit Sikhs, Ramgarhia Sikhs, Rajput Sikhs, Jat Sikhs and Ramdasia Sikhs. They have separate gurdwaras and there are a very few inter-caste marriages in the Sikh community.

There are also other social practices and customs which are antithesis of Sikh philosophy. We should be more worried about them. Globalisation implies rising above parochial thinking and not to assert our political, religious and social identity for vested interests.

TARSEM SINGH, New Delhi

Initiative to save daughters Punjab’s singers have taken a good initiative to fight against the consumption of intoxicants and the killing of our unborn daughters. They can indeed play a vital role in changing the people’s mindset (Editorial, “Saving the daughter”, Jan 19). There is need for a mass movement by the government, the people and the religious groups. The law has been ineffective in saving the life of the unborn daughter. Societal pressure can act as a deterrent. Nawanshahr’s former Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar had mobilised NGOs, Sarpanches and the people and helped improve the female sex ratio in the district. The Supreme Court had directed the Centre and the states to enforce a ban on pre-natal sex determination tests and asked them to enforce the provisions of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act banning such tests. This obnoxious and abominable practice must stop forthwith. M.L. GARG, Chandigarh

Prepare for Nano

Ratan Tata has launched Nano, said to be the world’s cheapest car. Tatas have been working on the Rs 1-lakh car for the last four years. Nano is, no doubt, an achievement. But the question is: are our roads prepared for it? Cheaper price means more number of cars which, in turn, will result in more parking space and traffic congestion.

Before Nano hits the roads, we should improve the road infrastructure first. In fact, some special annual taxes must be levied on cars/bikes of specific sizes, implying that one should pay for the space he/she uses. Carmakers, too, should share a portion of the infrastructural work for smoother transition from two-wheelers to four-wheelers.

NITIN KUMAR, Chandigarh

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I congratulate Ratan Tata for fulfilling his promise to deliver a car for Rs 1 lakh. He has thus silenced all his critics in the automobile industry. Our politicians should learn a lesson from him. They make tall promises at the time of elections, but seldom fulfill them after victory at the hustings.

Shockingly, even after 60 years of Independence, safe drinking water is not available to large sections of people. The powers that be should remember the saying, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’.

GIAN CHAND VERMA, Yamunanagar

Right complex, but…

With a beautiful panoramic view, the Manasa Devi Complex in Panchkula’s Sector 4 has all the right elements to become the best. But the administration is not ready to allow it to bloom. Lakhs of devotees come from far off places to visit the Mansa Devi temple, but its surroundings are dotted with unathorised juggis.

The crime rate is also increasing. The residents of these juggis are even legitimate voters. Apparently, the administration is in the process of providing power supply to them.

Currently, the Election Commission is updating its electoral rolls. When it is so difficult to register one’s name in that coveted list, how are these juggi residents, even without valid documents, able to get their names registered? If this menace is not checked immediately, the situation will go out of hand.

SUMANTA GHOSH, Panchkula