SIKH ISSUES - IDENTITY AND TURBAN

Sikhs have faced difficulties at airport security at times. In some countries, they are forced to remove turbans for certain Govt documentation e.g. driving license. There are thus pressures on Sikhs especially the younger generation, to give up their distinct identity and turban. There are strong views on the subject both within India and outside. Before proceeding further, let me quote the legendary Khushwant Singh, who said, 'Sikhs must retain their identity symbols. Without that, I am convinced, the Sikh religion will eventually die out and perhaps merge with the indistinguishable Hindus'. Outside India, the pressure of Hinduism absorbing Sikhism may not appear to be real but there are other pressures. It has to be recognized and accepted that 'turban' is the brand image, if I may use the term, for the Sikhs. Turban, no doubt, makes one stand out but that was one of the rationales for it in the first place. There is always a pressure on minorities to conform. Sikhs have been a minority both in India (except for the new truncated Punjab at present), and the world. So, Sikhs as a community should be familiar with the societal pressures. In India's Pre-Independence era, the British were keen that Sikhs keep their identity. The issue of turban's non-acceptance became critical when Sikhs started settling in western countries. A foreign identity particularly a visible identity was felt anachronistic with assimilation which was demanded and expected from an immigrant. The problem of turban has become magnified when Sikhs started to migrate illegally. The illegals have to avoid being spotted out - merging with the majority is almost a necessity. Sikh religion is not acknowledged as one of the religious communities according to the local law in some countries. Continuous efforts are being made across various countries to change the legal status but have proven unsuccessful in some cases until now. Therefore, Sikhs who wish to wear turban, sometimes face problems at work. Over the past several years, there has been an improvement in this respect. Sikhs wearing turban have since been accepted as bus drivers by public transportation system. Sikhs serving in the military are now allowed to keep their hair uncut and wear a turban as soldiers and policemen. Unlike in the United Kingdom, however, Sikhs who wear a turban and not a helmet while driving a motorcycle in many countries violate traffic laws, thus excluding them from employment e.g., in the police force. Although generally turban is being accepted for Sikhs but there are issues in several countries. In France in particular ID cards and Driving License has to have photo without turban. Sikh students with turban or 'patka' are also not accepted in public schools though there is no such restriction in private schools. At the University level turban, however, is accepted. Post 9/11 many construed the Sikhs to be the followers of Bin Laden, a case of mistaken identity no doubt. The following news item sums up some of the concerns of the Sikhs. Head covering/'hijab' by Muslim women is getting entangled with the turban issue for Sikhs. The 'kirpan', carried by some Sikhs can also cause problems at times.