German court ruling making helmets compulsory infringes on Sikh rights: Sirsa

Tribune Web Desk 
Chandigarh, July 7

Sikh Gurdwara Management committee president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said a recent German court ruling that makes helmets compulsory for Sikhs infringed upon their religious freedom—another voice that adds to a growing outrage from the community. 

In a tweet, Sirsa expressed his concern over the “harsh law”. 

He wrote: “This order by a top German Court infringes with the rights of Sikhs as they already wear turban In the UK & in many provinces of Canada, Sikhs are exempt from wearing helmets on motorcycles We request @GermanyDiplo to file a review & request the Court to reconsider its decision”.

This order by a top German Court infringes with the rights of Sikhs as they already wear turban
In the UK & in many provinces of Canada, Sikhs are exempt from wearing helmets on motorcycles
We request @GermanyDiplo to file a review & request the Court to reconsider its decision pic.twitter.com/j4pUJwtfCa

— Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) 7 July 2019

He continued: “I also request @DrSJaishankar Ji to address the issues with his counterpart in Germany. Sikhs are exempted to wear helmets in most of the countries. This order by German Court is harsh on Sikhs. @ANI @TimesNow @republic @thetribunechd @htTweets”. 

I also request @DrSJaishankar Ji to address the issues with his counterpart in Germany.
Sikhs are exempted to wear helmets in most of the countries. This order by German Court is harsh on Sikhs.@ANI @TimesNow @republic @thetribunechd @htTweets https://t.co/oHwNshzQ1g

— Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) 7 July 2019

According to a report in ‘DW’, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig rejected a Sikh man's appeal, who had argued that the helmet would not fit over his turban.

"People wearing a turban on religious grounds are not for that reason alone exempt from the obligation to wear a helmet," the presiding judge, Renate Philipp, said, adding that the claimant had to accept this restriction to his freedom of religion, as it served to uphold the rights of others, too. 

The Leipzig court argued that the obligation to wear a helmet not only protected the driver but also kept other drivers from being traumatised if they caused heavy injury to someone driving without a helmet. 

The court also said a driver wearing a helmet would be better placed to help others in case of an accident.

In the UK as well as in several provinces of Canada, Sikhs are exempt from wearing helmets on motorcycles or hard hats on building sites.