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France May Remove Ban: Minister

Azaad

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Azaad Grand Master

Azaad

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France may remove ban: Minister

Jangveer Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 31

Sikh children going to government schools in France could win the right to wear turbans with the French government agreeing to consider a proposal to delink this issue from the ban on wearing of head gear which is in force since March, 2004.

Disclosing this here today while answering a question, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said President Nicolas Sarkozy had agreed to have a re-look into the issue after a request made by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the European summit. Sharma said Dr Manmohan Singh had emphasised the religious obligations of Sikhs to wear turbans to the French President. India had asserted that wearing of turbans was in no way a sign of fundamentalism in Sikhism.

Earlier, the human rights committee of the United Nations had advised France to re-examine the rule forbidding wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, including the turban, in schools after submission of a report by minority experts.

When questioned about other issues concerning Punjab, particularly the demand to open visa consulates in Amritsar and Lahore, the minister indicated that this was not on the agenda presently. Sharma said the visa centres, which were functioning presently, were meeting the requirements. He said there was also a need for reciprocity on this issue, adding discussions had been held but no decision had been taken.

Sharma was non-committal on the demand for a 3-km-long corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur to Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan to enable Sikh pilgrims visa-free access to the religious site. Pakistan has already agreed to this demand in principle.

When questioned about the large number of Punjabi youth who were languishing in various countries, particularly Italy, as they had “lost” their passports, the minister said in most of the cases it seemed as if passports had been destroyed intentionally. He said, however, it was the government policy to provide emergency travel documents in such cases.

He also indicated that the process of exchange of civilians, who had accidentally crossed over to India from Pakistan, would continue despite the recent escalation of tension. Speaking about the 66 civilians who had been repatriated to Pakistan yesterday, Sharma said this was in line with the government policy not to overlook the humanitarian aspect even in difficult times.

The minister refused to comment on the ongoing tussle going between the Union Territory Administrator Lt Gen (retd) SF Rodrigues and Adviser Pradeep Mehra, saying he was sure the concerned ministry and minister would take cognizance of the matter.

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HSD*^ Grand Master

HSD*^

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fight for muslims to wear headscarves? we cant fight our own battles, let alone others. but if you want to i suggest you go and do it, rather than trying to get the whole sangat up in arms. its not as if helping them would change the views of sikhism that many musis hold.

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