Tuesday, July 21, 2009

SAD lodges protest over proposed turban ban in US schools

PTI
20.7.09

Chandigarh , July 20 The Shiromani Akali Dal today lodged a protest with the US against a bill prohibiting teachers from the Sikh community in Oregon State from wearing"religious dress"including turbans to public schools.

In a letter addressed to US Ambassador-designate Timothy Roemer, SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal said that he never expected such a move"from the oldest democracy of the world, that had heralded worldwide movement for personal and religious freedom".

Badal said that on a plea of broadening religious freedom, the bill passed by Oregon legislature and lying on the table of Oregon Governor for assent, would prohibit a teacher from wearing religious dress during performance of her duties.

The SAD President said that the Sikh community had always played a vital role in the progress of US in all fields including the education sector and the proposed law would lead to violation of human rights.

He warned that"singularly targeting Sikhs for this ban"would send a wrong message to the whole world.

Badal hoped that Roemer would apprise his government of the"hurt sentiments"of the Sikh community regarding the proposed ban and expected the federal government to take"necessary corrective measure to spare Sikhs from this blatant discrimination".

with thanks : http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/628098/National/1/20/1

SikhsIndia
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