Turbam Issue In France

[panj pyare]

It is ironic that at a time when the world claims to be becoming a global village, distance abolished and various communities are growing to be more understanding and tolerant of one another, Sikhs should be having to launch protests against a French ban on turbans in government-run schools. The ill-considered ban should have never been imposed in the first place. The 2004 ban does not stop at schools alone. The French government has also not been issuing passports, driving licences and residency cards to Sikhs who refuse to remove their turbans for ID photos. What is significant is that the turban has been worn by Sikhs with pride for centuries as a symbol of identity they believe in and belong to. Some do not; but that does not diminish its significance in any way. In fact, it only shows that it is not purely a religious accoutrement like the cross. That is all the more reason to allow its use in every secular society. French President Nicolas Sarkozy must be explained its significance during his Indian visit.

That as eminent a person as Dr Manmohan Singh wears a turban regularly is an irrefutable argument in favor of a lifting of the French ban. As we wrote in an earlier editorial, will the French government like to exclude the Indian Prime Minister from dialogue just because he is a turban-wearing Sikh? Imposing the ban on school children and others is tantamount to discrimination. The Indian government ought to intervene in an effective manner and ensure that France lifts the ban which is simply ridiculous in the modern day world and against the tenets France has been standing for.

The avowed purpose of separating the Church and the State will not be served by this odd ban because it clearly violates Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which maintains that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, worship and observance. France needs to set an example in respecting human rights and not curbing these.