I read the news item this morning. It happened at Rome.
A delegation of Sikhs that included Manjit Singh (Chief of Akali Dal(Badal) and Delhi Gurudwara Management Committee president) were asked to remove their turbans at the airport security check. They took offense and refused. They offered to get their turbans touched and also checked with metal detectors but declined to take off their turbans. The security officials stuck to their demand. This party of Sikhs were not able to board the flight.
This set me thinking.
Were the Sikhs justified? Is this "disrespect to their identity" as stated by Parkash Singh Badal, who is now taking up the matter with the PM?
Their could be varying viewpoints.
Sikhs have every right to their turban.
They can wear it abroad too and no one has any issue on this account.
However during a security check, if the security officials insist, they must cooperate and not stand on prestige.
The laws of a country are to be respected. If observance of any particular law conflicts with your religious belief, then you must choose in advance between obeying that country's law and sticking to your religious belief and not create an issue at the last minute.
The Sikhs knew in advance about security rules and the methods of screening. It's okay if they expect to be exempted, or request to be exempted but cannot demand it as a religious right in a foreign country. Security officials frequently cooperate with Sikhs and are lenient. But if for any reason, they insist, then it is their privilege and there is no choice but to comply or miss the flight as the Sikhs did.
I am afraid nothing is going to come out of this protest and Italy/Rome will ignore our PM even if he takes up this issue.
I would be wiling to hear a counter view, defending the Sikhs.
Any takers?
I asked my wife her opinion.
She was brief and to the point, unlike me.
"When in Rome, do as Romans do", she said.
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