Goalie In Sikh Bracelet Row - Manchester

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Dear Members of Sikh Sangat

I was visiting ManchesterOnline and thought this web page might interest you:

Goalie in Sikh bracelet row

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news...archive=archive

Please read - vote and add your comments

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Goalie in Sikh bracelet row

A YOUNG Sikh footballer had to have his religious bracelet removed with wire-cutters before the referee would allow the game to go ahead.

Sonny Singh, 18, who plays in goal for West Didsbury and Chorlton FC, was told by match official Les Lever that it could be a danger on the pitch.

Sonny argued that it was an important symbol of his religion and hadn't been off his wrist for seven years.

He also pointed out that it would be covered by his goalkeeper's gloves anyway.

Sonny covered the bracelet with masking tape but the referee was unmoved and

team-mates finally had to make a phone call to get someone to bring a set of

wire-cutters to clip the metal band off.

West Didsbury are now making a complaint about the referee's behaviour to

officials of the Altrincham Youth League.

Sonny, who has been with the club for eight months and played many games

without any problem with his bracelet, said: "I was disgusted, and now I feel

absolutely gutted that I agreed to do what he asked."

The bracelet, known as a kara, is a symbolic steel bracelet worn as a symbol of commitment to truthfulness, strength and unity.

"I told him again and again what it meant, but he insisted it could be dangerous," said Sonny.

"It put me in an impossible situation. I couldn't let the team down by refusing.

"Lots of professional players wear items of jewellery on the pitch including ear-rings that are taped over."

Danny Iredale, the manager of Sonny's team, said: "I was just astounded at what the ref was asking him to do.

"The daft thing was that Sonny's gloves would have covered the bracelet anyway." Mr Lever did not want to discuss the incident.

Altrincham League secretary Fred Taylor said: "We will have to wait for an official complaint to be made by the club and then we would need to hear the facts from both sides."

Amrik Singh, a lay preacher and leading member of the Sikh community in

Manchester said: "I'm shocked that something like could be allowed to happen. It

is an important symbol of our religion and the bracelet would normally remain on

the wrist for many years when someone reaches adulthood."

[ms514]

Sat Sri Akal:

Take them to court.

[Pyara]

Isn't this a job for ........................ THE SIKH FEDERATION UK!!! or SIKHS IN ENGLAND or SIKH CONSULATE or SIKH WHO CAN'T BE BOTHERED.

Mr Jagtar Singh Khalsa, how can we take this forward?

[kurtas]

Would it not be a good idea to establish whether he has taken Amrit or not ? If he has not then what the problem with him taking the Kara off ?

[Pyara]

True, fact is he chose between playing footy and Sikh principles.

If he wanted to he could have walked out of the football game.

[_K_]

True, fact is he chose between playing footy and Sikh principles.

If he wanted to he could have walked out of the football game.

161287[/snapback]

hmm if it bothered him that much y did he agree to it?? ...

[Akaali]

Its an article of faith, a gift from Satguru Gobind Singh jee maharaj, cutting it with wire cutters is beadbi period, this is the reason we gotta wear sarbloh karay, which can't be cut so easily, not some fancy silver bracelet, or some thin steel ones. If the singh was striving to take amrit or is amritdhari they should pursue this matter in court. If he's just wearing it like any other punjabi or any kid that it has been forced upon by parents, who don't really wear the punj kakaar and are not amritdhari then well I can't say much on it.

[singh_comradz]

well going to court could go two ways. he might win his case or it could go the other way.

for instance what if the case reached the court of appeal or house of lords and if he wasn't amritdhari. say for instance the court ruled as a result it wasn't obligatory for him to wear a kara as part of his faith all the time, then that would have a major knock on effect in relation to the non-amritdhari community. like that case with the muslim girl in luton and her wearing the jilbab at school.

[AkaalSeva-EL]

HE LET THEM CUT IT?????

thats lame @ :wub: