France Says Sikhs Must Remove Turbans

[akjforever]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060306/ap_on_re_eu/france_sikhs

France Says Sikhs Must Remove Turbans

France's highest administrative body ruled Monday that Sikhs must remove their turbans for driver's license photos, calling it a question of public security and not a restriction on freedom of religion.

The Council of State's ruling reversed its own decision in December in favor of Shingara Mann Singh, a French citizen who refused to take off his turban for a license photo in 2004.

The case gained attention amid tensions between France's religious minorities and the government over a law banning conspicuous religious signs in public schools, aimed at Islamic headscarves.

For Sikhs, the turban is an article of faith.

Singh took his case to the Council of State, which ruled in December that he could wear his turban because a ban on covering the head in official photos came from the Interior Ministry, not the Transport Ministry. The council said a Transport Ministry order concerning identity photos was not precise enough to apply to Singh's license.

The following day, the Transport Ministry changed its order, specifically saying that the Interior Ministry ban was applicable on driver's licenses.

The case went back to the Council of State, which ruled Monday that Singh must take his turban off for the photo.

The council said the requirement did not trample on religious freedoms but was necessary for "the interests of public security and protection of order."

Singh's lawyer, Patrice Spinosi, has said they could take the case to other tribunals, such as the European Court of Human Rights.

The small, quiet Sikh community in France began making its voice heard after France banned religious signs in public schools in 2004, which forced Sikh students to remove turbans or be expelled.

[simmal tree]

In Bhai Rama Singh Ji's autobiography he described different doors in hell leading to different punishments depending on your crime. I'm sure there is a new door being installed there called "French Government"

[buddasingh]

What an absolute mockery French officials are making of their country! Where do I get a hold of the lawyer? You know the government officials are messed up when the lawyer against them can pick up the gist of his/her submission on an internet discussion forum:

Is dying one's hair in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is getting hair transplants in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is getting botox or other injections to clear up wrinkles in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is obtaining cosmetic dental surgery in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is growing your hair beyond a length on the drivers license in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is trimming ones hair beyond a length on the drivers license in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is growing facial hair beyond growth on the drivers license in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is trimming facial hair beyond as it is on the drivers license in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is wearing eyeglasses in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is losing or gaining weight beyond a certain amount in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is wearing a turtleneck in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is wearing a scarf covering one’s neck in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is exposing ones face to sunlight and getting darker in France going to be illegal for "the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is aging and the facial changes that go along with it, in France going to be illegal for “the

interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is growing hair whose shape is easily manipulated and changed to disguise the bald head, in France going to be illegal for “the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is having bangs which can cover a large part of the forehead in France going to be illegal for “the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is having hair which covers the ears in France going to be illegal for “the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is wearing dentures and thereby altering the shape of the mouth in France going to be illegal for “the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is being sleep deprived and having puffy eyes in France going to be illegal for “the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is wearing earrings or a nose-ring or other facial piercing in France going to be illegal for “the interests of public security and protection of order."?

Is wearing lipstick, eyeshadow or other make-up in France going to be illegal for “the interests of public security and protection of order."?

[Singhstah]

In Bhai Rama Singh Ji's autobiography he described different doors in hell leading to different punishments depending on your crime. I'm sure there is a new door being installed there called "French Government"

154662[/snapback]

most definetly, when in the hell are these nazis going to stop.

[singh_comradz]

public security, couldn't their gov't come out with better bs

ironic in the sense that 80,000 turban wearing Sikhs sacrificed their lives in the two world wars, many on french soil and for the nations freedom.

chirac must have been regularly reminded of this and look at how they treat the Sikhs in return.

first in schools, now on driving license photos, soon they probably ban anyone wearing dastaars in public.

its extreme secularism and the so called European UNION is a joke, the big players such as France pull all the strings..

[palamrinder]

I personally think weakness lies within us..... these western leaders only understand the language of $$$..... They'll doo anything for money..... Sikhs need to force indian prime minister to coerce chirac on lifting the ban...... IF India calls sikhs as its citizens then it should rise to the occasion for protecting their right... Moreover manmohan singh should feel the pain... what if he is asked to take off his turban , next time he visits france........

India has multibillion dollar deals in pipeline with france..... All he has to do is to tell chirac either you change your laws or we are not doing any business with you.... I'm 101% sure, if france is given such a hint the law will be scrapped very next day....

Sikh leadership esp. in India has to make a real big deal out of this issue to generate media attention and force ppl to make right decisions..... having a lawyer will not serve a purpose.....

Rest guruji knows what is good for panth......

Fateh!

[raju123]

QUESTION ???????????

:T:

did the french pm ask the indian pm to remove his turban before they sat in the same room????? :e:

the sikh pm should have said have made him ware a turban saying its the law of the land.... :nihungsmile:

but seriousley.........................what a bloody shame,

:nihungsmile: :e: :T: :lol: