Joginder Singh, a six grade Sikh student is the latest victim of anti turban law in France. The young boy was expelled
by the school authorities for non compliance of the order proscribing the wearing of turban in schools. So far over 250 students have reportedly suffered the blow of the new law that puts a ban on wearing of scarves and turbans symbolizing with
religious identity, by the students in educational institutions. All appeals by the Sikhs settled in and outside France to get this order revoked have been turned down by the local government. But the
community has not given up. The struggle to save this integral part of their life continues.
The rigidity of the French government is evident from the fact that they have not even agreed to allow students to wear patka, a much smaller version of turban. While expulsion of students is a clear denial of the fundamental right and access to education, the ban on turban, on the other hand is a gross violation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights which clearly guarantees every individual the freedom of religion that implies religious symbols too.
The old saying that ‘history repeats itself’ is proving true in Sikh context. No other community has in the past waged as many battles as Sikhs to protect their identity. Three hundred years back, Jorawar Singh (8 years) and Fateh Singh (6 years) , two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, chose to embrace death than Islam for the sake of their faith and honour. All efforts by the then Moghul rulers to convert, by persuasion or by suppression, the brave sons of the great Guru into Islam failed. Since then, the Sikh community has been waging one after another battle and even sacrificing their lives for the protection of its unique identity. Significantly, while fighting for the honour of their own turbans, Sikhs, even gave due honour to the turbans of their enemies. According to Twarikhe-Punjab, whenever Sikhs invaded enemy caravans, they never took off turbans from the heads of menfolk and dupttas (a long head cover) from the heads of women belonging to enemies.
Turban, considered as a symbol of honour, is deeply rooted in India’s socio-religious culture. It was a part of the charismatic personality of India’s great noble men such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekanand, Baal Gangadhar Tilak, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Lala Lajpat Rai, Gopal Krishana Gokhle, Dr S. Radhakrishanan (great philosopher and India’s 2nd President), etc. The wind of modernity has swept away many age old traditions. Turban, unfortunately is one of them. Even though some communities, especially elders, in India still wear turban by tradition, but it is only in Sikhism that it has come to be established and accepted as an inseparable and essential religious symbol. For Sikhs, a turban is not merely a piece of cloth. More than tokenism, it is a crown, a glory bestowed upon them by the Guru. It is a symbol of his religious identity. Turban in Sikhism is a pride of personality. Sikhs in the past have fought successfully against the bans imposed on turbans and other Sikh symbols in United States, Britain and elsewhere. By their resolve, they emerged victor in every struggle. In an identical case, Kulwinder Singh, a Sikh student in the city of Wolver Hampton, U.K. was expelled from the school in 1977-78 on the ground that he wore turban alongwith the school uniform. All appeals and arguments about religious importance of turban by Kulwinder to the headmaster failed. The boy ultimately resorted to peaceful protest by continued standing on the school gate. As the matter reached to the government, a senior official from the education department visited Kulwinder and heard his point of view. Greatly convinced by his arguments, he instructed the school authorities to re-admit the boy and allow him wear turban alongwith uniform.
A turbaned Sikh outside India,not only represents his community. He, in broader perspective represents his nation. Even in general, turban has great social significance in India and especially in Punjab. It is a unique rescuer in crisis. History is full of the shining instances when Sikhs, showing the exemplary presence of mind and courage did not hesitate to use this pious piece of cloth to rescue persons fallen in deep gorges or waters by accident. Every social ceremony whether it is for grief or for joy, remains incomplete without the offering of turban.
Sikhs have made a large and undeniable contribution in the building of modern France. Hence they have every right to preserve their distinct religious identity. The French government should understand the sentiments of this proud community and makes an amicable as well as respectable settlement of the issue before it drags too far.