Manmohan Singh Raises Turban Issue With French Pres But Fails

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NEW DELHI: The protests by Sikh groups on Friday prompted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up the issue of French ban on turbans with visiting President Nicholas Sarkozy.

But Mr Sarkozy politely told Mr Singh that his country has no intention of changing its policy on the matter.

The French president told the prime minister that his country is against use of ostentatious religious symbols in public schools. The French government had said in 2004 that Sikh students could not wear turbans to schools as turbans were religious symbols.

The move has led to large-scale protests among the Sikh community, which argues that wearing a turban is not just a religious symbol but a part of Sikh identity. But the protests have had little impact on France which has steadfastly refused change its policy.

The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and other Sikh groups have been protesting against the ban in the run-up to Mr Sarkozy's visit to India. The SGPC had even asked for an appointment with Mr Sarkozy to make a representation to him.

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While Advani claims that the French prez assured him that he will look into the matter.

He may be lying as well just to get Sikh votes

We will look at turban ban: Sarkozy

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani on Friday raised the issue of ban on Sikh turbans in French government schools with President Nicolas Sarkozy during one-on-one talks.

Sikh organisations and individuals have been requesting Dr. Singh to ask Mr. Sarkozy to review a law of 2004 that bans wearing of turbans. Subsequently, France refused to issue passports, driving licences and residence cards to Sikhs who do not remove their turbans for ID photos.

BJP sources said Mr. Advani told Mr. Sarkozy that it was a sensitive issue and should be reviewed. He assured the BJP leader that he would have a look at it.

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A vdeo report

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/videopod/default.aspx

Click on PM brings turban issue......... on the rt side

[B4ND4]

Turban talks held

New Delhi, January 25

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today took up with French President Nicolas Sarkozy the issue of ban on turban in France.

Dr Singh raised the issue during his talks with Sarkozy who responded by saying that there is no ban on wearing of turban in France though use of religious symbols in certain situations was prohibited, sources said.

Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani also took up the matter with Sarkozy when he called on the latter. Sources close to Advani said Sarkozy assured him that he would look into the matter. — PTI

Turban Issue

SAD-BJP conveys Sikh sentiments to Sarkozy

Tribune News Service

Majitha, January 25

The SAD-BJP alliance here today claimed to have conveyed the sentiments of the Sikh masses on the contentious issue of sporting of turbans by Sikhs in France to the visiting French President Nicholas Sarkozy.

Acting SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said BJP leader L.K. Advani met Sarkozy this afternoon in New Delhi and raised the turban issue with him, highlighting the religious sentiments of Sikhs attached to the turban.

"Advani elaborated at length that ignoring this issue would hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs all over the world. The solution lay in allowing Sikhs in France to wear turban in keeping with the Sikh tenets," he said. Sukhbir said the former deputy prime minister had also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the same issue so that India could put explain the sensitivity of the issue to the French government.

[guptveer1469]

b4nd4, what are you trying to prove?? that we here in belgium and france are allowed to wear turban?

[B4ND4]

Relax 007 :s . I have just posted a news article.. The article is from tribuneindia.com incase you missed that : )