Get anti-Sikh Quebec law rescinded: Tarlochan Singh to Sikh MPs in Canada and Akal Takht Jathedar 

Former chairman of the National Commission for Minorities Tarlochan Singh on Saturday wrote to Sikh MPs in Canada and the Jathedar of Akal Takht urging them both to work in order to rescind a Quebec law that prevents public servants, including cops and teachers, from sporting religious symbols such as veils and turbans.

The law had survived legal challenges in Canada and continues to be on the statute.

“I have come to know that in the State of Quebec in Canada a law was promulgated by which the Turban was been banned for all public servants, including teachers, police officers and judges. Quebec is the French-speaking province in Canada which looks up to France as a motherland. The Catholic Church has a strong hold on the people,” Singh wrote in a letter to Sikh MPs of the Canadian Parliament and a separate missive to Akal Takht Jathedar.

He said the Quebec National Assembly had passed the new law in 2019 to become a secular State and banned wearing of all religious symbols such as hijab, Turban and Kippah on all public servants.

“This is a more serious than the law in France where the wearing of Turban is banned for the Sikh students in Government Schools. I fail to understand why the Sikh Members of Parliament in Canada have not yet taken of this as a major discrimination against the Sikhs. We are the only religious community in the world that sports long hair as part of our religious beliefs. The SGPC is also perhaps not aware of this law in Canada,” said Singh.

He appealed for the issue to be taken up with the Chief Minister of Quebec State to reopen this case and amend the Law.

“The Catholics hierarchy may be approached for the help. In UK the Sikhs with their consistent efforts got similar laws amended to protect Sikh symbol,” said Singh.