SC query on wearing of turban draws Sikhs’ ire

Srinagar, April 23

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The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) on Monday termed the observations made by the Supreme Court regarding wearing of turban an infringement in the religious affairs of the community.

In a statement, APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said a ‘delicate issue like religion needs to be taken up in a sensitive manner’ by the Supreme Court. He said wearing of turban was necessary and imperative for the Sikhs living in any part of the world.

“A religious duty like wearing of turban is very close to the hearts of the Sikhs living across the world. Anyone who casts aspersions in this regard can never be a friend of the community. All 10 gurus of the Sikhs have stressed the need for wearing of turban and given this, how can a Sikh tolerate any negative opinion over the same,” Raina added.

“In countries such as Britain, Canada, France and Australia, objections were raised over wearing of turban by the Sikhs. However, the lawmakers of these countries and many others found that wearing of turban is a religious obligation for the Sikhs. Some of these countries amended the particular religious act and mentioned that no Sikh should be harassed on the pretext that he is wearing a turban,” he said. The APSCC chairman said India was a land of multiple religions and diverse cultures and the observation made by the Supreme Court with regard to wearing of turban by the Sikhs ‘is totally uncalled for’. He said the minorities, especially the Sikhs, would feel insecure in India following the ‘infringement in religious affairs by the apex court’. — TNS