Sikh delegation meets Vatican ambassador over turban issue

The delegates also requested for the help of Vatican in solving turban-related issues in other countries.

New York:  A US Sikh delegation has met Vatican Ambassador Archbishop Francis Chullikatt in New York to discuss various issues related to the community, including the turban issue.

The team appreciated the decision of the prelate in solving the turban issue of Sikh children in a Jammu and Kashmir school last month.

The ambassador, who is the permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, stated that if any such problem is faced by the Sikh community in the future, it should be immediately brought to attention of the Vatican Embassy based in New Delhi.

A 107-year-old St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School in Baramulla had banned the Sikh students from wearing turbans last month.

The delegates also requested for the help of Vatican in solving turban-related issues in other countries including France and Belgium.

In an hour-long meeting, it was proposed that the minority communities in India including Sikhs and Christians should jointly raise voices to fight for their rights.

Archbishop Francis ensured that with the support of NGOs, he would raise the issue of freedom of religion in the United Nations.

A copy of “Global Sikh Human And Civil Rights 2011-2012″ was also presented to him by the delegation.

The members of the team were Dr Amarjeet Singh, Dr Arvinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Jatinder Singh, Hardyal Singh, Jaspreet Kaur and Gurinder Kaur.

Source: sikh24.com