London (August 28, 2012): The Sikh Federation (UK) has received a letter from the Department for Transport regarding the respect to the Sikh turban (dastaar) at airports in the UK and the organization is hopeful regarding favorable solution of the issue in European countries including the UK.
Sikh Federation has been lobbying with respect to the issue since it first came up in June 2010 and the organization is working closely with the Department.
Bhai Amrik Singh Gill, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) said:
‘The letter is particularly helpful as it provides hope for a real and lasting solution to respect for the Sikh turban (dastaar) across Europe.
“The UK Government should be congratulated on the stance it has taken to date and now it is time for Sikhs across Europe to make sure their own governments support the proposals when Members States of the EU vote on changing the regulation in the next 12 months” he told Sikh Siyasat.
“We will use the Federation’s sister bodies across Europe to make sure this happens” he added.
Bhai Amrik Singh Gill further told Sikh Siyasat that “it also sends a message to all those who doubted the system used at UK airports could be introduced across Europe and were prepared to compromise on allowing the dastaar to be touched or removed”.
Sikhs should never compromise their identity stipulated by our Gurus, he added.