In city, helmet to be optional for Sikh women

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 17

Wearing of helmet by Sikh women in Chandigarh will become optional as the UT Administration has issued a draft notification for making an amendment to Rule 129 of Section 2 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The draft notification was issued today soon after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the Administration to make the helmet optional for Sikh women. The fresh directions were issued a week after the ministry had exempted Sikh women from wearing the protective headgear.

The Administration has asked people to submit their suggestions or objections on the draft notification within a month.

Earlier, the UT decision to do away with the exemption given to all women from wearing the helmet while driving a two-wheeler or riding pillion and allowing it for Sikh persons, including women, wearing a turban had evoked strong reactions from Sikh organisations and political parties, which raised the issue before the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Last week, the ministry had advised the UT Administration to exempt Sikh women from wearing the protective headgear while driving a two-wheeler or riding pillion in Chandigarh on the  pattern  of Delhi.  Later, the  ministry asked the   UT to make it optional.

The Delhi Transport Department, through a notification issued on June 4, 1999, carried out an amendment to Rule 115 of the Delhi Motor Vehicles Act, 1993, making it optional for women to wear the protective headgear. The Rule was further amended,  vide a notification issued on August 28, 2014,  in which the word “Sikh women”  was    added.

Sikh outfits had raised issue with ministry

Earlier, the UT decision to do away with the exemption given to all women from wearing the helmet while driving a two-wheeler or riding pillion and allowing it for Sikh persons, including women, wearing a turban had evoked strong reactions from Sikh organisations and political parties, which raised the issue before the Ministry of Home Affairs.