Sikh debarred from sports event for refusing to wear helmet can’t claim discrimination

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to interfere with organisers of long-distance cycling event to debar a 50-year-old Sikh cycling enthusiast for his refusal to wear a helmet, saying it had nothing to do with faith.

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 19

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to interfere with organisers of long-distance cycling event to debar a 50-year-old Sikh cycling enthusiast for his refusal to wear a helmet, saying it had nothing to do with faith.

“This is not an issue of discrimination or interference with anybody’s religious rights. It is not about faith or duty,” said a three-judge Bench headed by Justice SA Bobde.

Petitioner Jagdeep Singh Puri wanted to wear turban in place of helmet but the rules of the sporting event made a helmet/protective gear a must. Puri was disqualified from the Azad Hind Brevet (long distance cycling) organised by Audax India Randonneurs (AIR), a private organisation, on August 14, 2015.

Puri had sought formulation of guidelines for protection of fundamental rights of turbaned Sikhs who participate in such events.

But the Bench — which also included Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Deepak Gupta — told him that he cannot claim discrimination or interference with his religious rights.

It refused to direct the government or private cycling associations to allow Sikhs without helmets to participate in cycling events.

Refusing to get into the question of whether wearing a turban was an essential part of Sikhism or not, the Bench said such a question could be decided by a civil court.

However, the Bench asked Puri to make a representation to the government for an appropriate decision.

On his behalf, senior advocate RS Suri contended if a Sikh can be allowed to wear a turban in the Indian Armed Forces, why can’t he be allowed to wear it in a cycling event?

But the argument didn’t go down well with the Bench. “You cannot compare those in Army with those who want to race. In Army, you have a duty to serve the nation. There cannot be any discrimination. You cannot join the Army and say I would not go to war. On other hand you, can buy a cycle and choose not to participate in a cycling race,” it said.

In July last year, the top court had agreed to examine his plea and issued notices to the Centre and the organiser of the long-distance cycling (Randonneuring) event.