CLARIFICATION STATEMENT BY THE KALGIDHAR TRUST-BARU SAHIB Made by Major General R.S.Chhatwal Retd. (Official spokesman of The Kalgidhar Trust, managing Akal Academies):
The issue of forcing Hindu students to wear dastar / turbans by Akal Academy has been totally misunderstood & misrepresented with a view to make it look communal.
We wish to clarify the following:
1. Wearing of turban is a symbol of Indian pride, honour, tradition, simplicity & modesty. Sikhs wear turban on account of this and many Hindus also wear turbans. For example: Indian leaders like Swami Vivekananda, Lala Lajpat Rai, S. Radhakrishnan (Ex. President of India), Dr. C.V.Raman (Noble Laureate) and Rani Jhansi etc wore turbans. It is a common folklore that says “ Pagri di laaj” i.e. ‘honour of the turban’. We do not enforce sikh doctrines upon any non-sikh.
2. The wearing of uniform in school brings a sense of equality & upholds discipline values. There are no distinctions between students of different religions, castes & even between boys & girls ( to reduce sexual attraction and bad thoughts). Not a single instance of any teenage harassment of any sort has been reported in any of our schools. This helps to keep students away from distraction & focuses their energies in positive directions and more concentration on studies. That is why rural Akal Academies are producing excellent results outperforming schools from urban areas.
3. Vested interests are trying to make communal issue of a simple implementation of dress regulation of the school. We should negate such nefarious designs of misguided and mischievous elements.
We stand by the principles of simple living and high thinking and imparting value-based education, which have led to us producing not only best academic results but also all around development of the children.
( Posted: Monday , May 12, 2008 at 15:02 )
Col(ret)R.Aggarwala, Univ Faculty, USA
The Punjab School is imposing on religious rights of other communities in their school. They are imposing their religious dress on non-sikhs. It is such behavior of this school that can one day backfire against the Sikhs in non-sikh schools all over India, where Sikhs may be forced to abandon their turbans in retaliliation. The sikhs currently enjoy special turban rights based on their religious beliefs. They must reciprocate the same for other religions. The non-Sikhs should go to supreme court to rule in this matter.
( Posted: Saturday , May 10, 2008 at 12:01 )
B S GANESH
This is the height of foolishness in free India when all religions spread unity and cooperation. It is ridiculous to make law that all school children must wear turban like sikh cildren. If this is really implemented, governments in other states may follow asking all sikh children to shave. Country is having sufficient problems form externally from terorists on East and Western side of India. If this problem is also to be faced country ewill be in chaotic position. Let wise counsel prevail with the authorities and not vote bank and pampering. B S GANESH BANGALORE
( Posted: Saturday , May 10, 2008 at 08:30 )
longpole1
Then non Sikh Schools in Punjab, India and world will be justified in banning turban by any student in accordance with their dress code.
( Posted: Saturday , May 10, 2008 at 05:00 )
Aditya
When comes to religion why are people always trying to go back in time. Instead of focusing on growing mature and moving forward we always take up a petty issue and blow it out of proportion and which will eventually lead to communal violence. People should try to learn to be restraint and should always respect the culture and religion of others. India is a democratic country and every people has a right for their culture and religion. There is no way some one can force a religion or a tradition onto someone who is not willing to follow, in a democratic and secular India.
What I feel is the turban rule that a school is planning to enforce is unwarranted for. Instead of preaching communal harmony to children, who are the future of the country, this school is imbibing hatred and intolerance which is a very wrong example of what needs to be taught at a school.
My views are not against this particular school or this particular incident of communal intolerance, I am against any group that shows any kind of social discrimination.
India is making leaps in the global market with its newly acquired economic strength. Let us not give scope for any negative thoughts but rather think positively and use all our energy in taking India to the next level and place it among the global gaints.
Jai Hind!
( Posted: Saturday , May 10, 2008 at 03:38 )
Amir
So how is the majority community feeling after getting a pinch of how it feels being a minority...
( Posted: Friday , May 09, 2008 at 22:53 )
Rupy
This is a Sikh school so they are asking the students to follow their dress code; there is nothing wrong with this. When we attend catholic school we follow there rules. The school is not disrespecting any other religion they are just asking to follow their dress code. It is sad to see people making a religious issue out of this. Hindus and Sikhs are brothers.
( Posted: Friday , May 09, 2008 at 22:51 )
sunil
This is not a school. Its something else. They can name it anything, but not school/paathshala/shikshasadan. I wish all parents should remove their kids from such a place. Its good for the kids too to be far from such hypocrite techers.
( Posted: Friday , May 09, 2008 at 22:51 )
anurag
When ever I write a comment on how the khalistan terror organisations are again getting active in Punjab you guys will never post it.......These terror organisation are active and the protest of Dera saccha sauda waqs organised by them.....
( Posted: Friday , May 09, 2008 at 22:33 )
B S GANESH
It is ridiculous to make law that all school children must wear turban like sikh cildren. If this is really implemented, governments in other states may follow asking all sikh children to shave. Country is having sufficient problems form externally from terorists on East and Western side of India. If this problem is also to be faced country ewill be in chaotic position. Let wise counsel prevail with the authorities and not vote bank and pampering. B S GANESH BANGALORE
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