Irish Police Bans Dastar

[Matheen]

We need to sort this out like was done in the UK in the 70s...

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/si...an-1057548.html

[dalsingh101]

We need to sort this out like was done in the UK in the 70s...

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/si...an-1057548.html

You wont have the same leeway. At least Sikhs in Britain could say that their forefathers wore turbans when they helped the British in the world wars. That was a strong point made during the agitation for wearing turbans in the 70s.

[Khalsa4ever]

Waheguroo jee ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo jee kee Fateh!

...and its not the police, its the army reserve.

Waheguroo jee ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo jee kee Fateh!

[Singhstah]

This just isn't right, theyre logic is extremely flawed, they are saying that immigrants must integrate, I didnt realise religion/God was confined to borders and race. In that case would a white Sikh born and raised in Ireland be able to wear a Dastaar?

[Hardeep__singh]

Hang on.....this would end their argument, a TURBAN, wearing a turban as part of sikh religion isnt CULTURE, its part of the religion, its an obligation for a full orthodox sikh, or a person trying to practice sikh by the tenth master. A turban is part of our body daily and we have the obligation to wear it as we please and as part of our religion, if it was a cultural thing then we would take it off, but it isnt.

[buddasingh]

While acknowledging the issue of the turban is important for the Sikh community, the Minister supported the garda stance. "If we are to take integration seriously, people who come here must understand our way of doing things. When the President and Ministers travel to the middle-east, they accept cultural requirements of the country and the culture they are operating in. It is a vice versa situation with regard to Ireland."

Interesting conclusion. First, what does the middle east have to do with this? Most of the Presidents and Ministers in the middle east traveling there have sent troops with guns, tanks, and bombs and killed hundreds of thousands of civilians. Is that how you accept cultural requirements? And he has the nerve to suggest that Presidents and Ministers give up their faith when traveling?

Seems like the Minister needs help to understand himself.

Irish residents of the Sikh faith wear dastars. Therefore for Sikhs in Ireland, it IS a 'cultural' norm of Ireland that they wear dastars. Therefore by his argument, Sikhs with dastars in Garda would reflect Irish culture.

Of course as others mention, culture aside, it is stunning that the Minister can take on such responsibility while being either so ignorant and/or so racist toward the Sikh faith.

[Matheen]

Any ideas of what can be done?