Private School In India Bans Turban.

[Singh559]

http://www.punjabnew...abha-says/44428

Private school bans wearing turban in Shimla, Singh Sabha says

Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 20:30

By Nagender Ranta

SHIMLA: The 18-year-old Sikh boy studying in a Christian private school in Shimla was banned wearing a turban in the school, said Guru Singh Sabha, Shimla, an apex body of the Sikhs in the capital of the state.

“A Sikh boy studying in plus 2 class in St. Edward’s School here in Shimla was denied wearing turban. The Guru Singh Sabha wrote a letter to the Principal in the Month of March when the school reopened but the school administration did not respond on this sensitive religious matter. Ultimately, we decided to go to the media as it hurts our religious sentiments. We would welcome if school administration allows wearing turban to the senior students. We want the issue to be resolved amicably,” Jaswinder Singh,President , Guru Singh Sabha Shimla, told Punjab Newsline.

The Guru Singh Sabha severely criticized this move of the private school calling it violation of the right to freedom of religion granted under the Indian Constitution.

We have given ultimatum to the principal of the school if this practice does not end and wearing turban was not allowed, we would begin a protest in front of the school and need be, can launch a protest movement across the state. The school is purposely hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community, he added.

“The Sikhs in Shimla feel hurt by this act of violation of the religious right of wearing turban, which is the religious identity of our community. We are a secular democratic country and such an act leads to spread of communalism in the society especially when an educational Institution practices such unconstitutional activity in its campus,” said President of the Guru Singh Sabha, Shimla. .

We have given ultimatum to the principal of the school if this practice does not end and wearing turban was not allowed, we would begin a protest in front of the school and need be, can launch a protest movement across the state. The school is purposely hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community, he added.

The school administration denies such allegations. The principal of the school said that we have no objection on wearing turban in the school and the matter has already been settled with the parents.

“We have not stopped anybody wearing the turban, this boy and nobody wears turban in the school. He has reached class 12th and suddenly comes wearing turban. He looked different and I asked him for the reason of sudden change. He did mention some religious reason and I spoke to the parents and matter has already been settled. I am surprised why this matter is being steered up. We have no objections in wearing turban, all students from Sikh religion can wear a turban,” said John Bosco, the principal of St Edward’s school.

Father of the student also feels hurt at the decision of the school as disallowing wearing a turban means denial of the religious freedom.

“My son went to school wearing turban. The Principal in the school asked him to wear head scarf (Pataka ). I appeal to the school administration to allow wearing turban to the senior students in higher classes and Patka to the junior students. These kind of thinks hurts our religious sentiments,” said Jaspal,the father of student.

District Magistrate Shimla Onkar Sharma said that representatives of Guru Singh Sabha met him against the decision of the school. It’s a serious issue that involves religious sentiments. We will call the parents, the Sikh bodies and the school management and sort out the matter.

BJP state spokesman Ganesh Dutt has expressed displeasure over this incident, strongly criticizing the alleged undemocratic order issued by the Principal of the school.

Mr. Dutt said that wearing of turban reflects sacrifices of Sikh Community made to this society and such incidents seldom happen in our country. He demanded immediate revoking of such ban on wearing turban in the school.

India is a multi- religious society, secular and tolerant society. Here such an act of allegedly banning turban is looked upon as an intolerant and Undemocratic move. Constitution and law of the country does allow it.

Source:

Punjab Newsline Network

[RebelSingh]

“The Sikhs in Shimla feel hurt by this act of violation of the religious right of wearing turban, which is the religious identity of our community. We are a secular democratic country and such an act leads to spread of communalism in the society especially when an educational Institution practices such unconstitutional activity in its campus,” said President of the Guru Singh Sabha, Shimla. .

Mr. Dutt said that wearing of turban reflects sacrifices of Sikh Community made to this society and such incidents seldom happen in our country. He demanded immediate revoking of such ban on wearing turban in the school.

India is a multi- religious society, secular and tolerant society. Here such an act of allegedly banning turban is looked upon as an intolerant and Undemocratic move. Constitution and law of the country does allow it.

HAHA LOOOL if this was the case, then these sorts of things wouldnt happen in the first place. For goodness sakes here in the UK (a "christian country") these incident never happen, only a incident here n there once in a while (mostly regarding kirpan), but in a country like india, thats pathetic, that too in a land neighbouring panjab and a land (Himachal) that will be part of future sikh homeland.

[jpsingh2]

This was on the news today as well.

[JSinghnz]

I spoke to the principal of the school today and he thinks it is alright for him to ask why a Sikh student is suddenly wearing a turban

as no one has worn a turban in his school before.

I told him it was very rude for him to do so as living in India, he should know better.

Contact details as below for all to speak to the man.

ST. EDWARD'S SCHOOL

Milsington, Shimla (H.P.) 171001

PHONE: 0177-2624542 E-MAIL: contact@stedwardsshimla.org

WEBSITE: www.stedwardsshimla.org

This was on the news today as well.

On what news was this?

[jpsingh2]

OMNI Punjabi News from British Columbia, Canada.

[JSinghnz]

OMNI Punjabi News from British Columbia, Canada.

Thanks for that. I hope the readers are following up and asking questions from that principal.

[JSinghnz]

Sikhs in Shimla threaten stir over turban issue

Apr 28, 2012 - SHIMLA: Sikhs in Shimla are on a warpath over the turban issue that has rocked the city recently. Members of the community protesting the admonishing of a student for wearing turban to school have threatened an agitation if talks with the district administration, fail.

On Thursday, members of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha - a Sikh organization -- submitted a complaint to deputy commissioner Omkar Sharma. President of the group, Jaswinder Singh had complained that a student of standard XI of St Edwards School here was asked to leave the class for wearing a turban.

While the incident happened in the beginning of the academic session, Singh said that they protested only after the school management did not heed their request to allow the boy to wear a turban.

Jaswinder Singh alleged the school principal, Father John Bosco, asked the boy, a student of standard XI, to leave the classroom for having the turban on. He was asked to wear a 'patka' instead. The boy has been attending school in a 'patka' since then.

ADM (law and order) NK Lath has called for a meeting between sabha members and the school authorities on Saturday to find out a solution.

"The principal has asked parents of the boy to send an application, seeking permission to wear a turban in school," said Singh.

"Wearing the turban is a our right and not allowing this has hurt our sentiments. We will begin an agitation from Sunday if the issue is not resolved on Saturday and the boy is not allowed to wear turban," he added.

Meanwhile principal of the school Fr John Bosco while speaking to TOI said,

"There has been no controversy over wearing of turban. We had asked for an application from the parents of the boy seeking permission. It was done to ensure that religious sentiments are not hurt in case the turban fell off his head while playing. We had simply asked for this application, after which he could have worn a turban," said Father Bosco.

"The district administration has reported the matter to the police and both the school authorities and the members of the Sikh body will meet me on Saturday," said Lath.

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