Sikhs to take turban trouble to SC

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Chandigarh: A recent court ruling in Punjab and Haryana has not gone down well with the states’ Sikh community.

According to a High Court judgement passed on Monday, Sikh prisoners in Punjab jails can no longer wear their full, traditional turbans and will instead have to do with a truncated half-a-square metre under-turban or patka.

The ruling came after government's contention that full turbans would pose a security risk if worn in prison.

The judgment came on a petition moved by the Punjab-based Sikh Students Federation seeking permission for Sikh prisoners to wear full turban - about 9-metres long - while undergoing prison terms.

However, not all agree. Former chief minister of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal supremo, Prakash Singh Badal finds the idea of security threat rather far fetched.

“If one has to commit suicide one does not need a turban to do it. There are other ways to do it too,” he said.

Several Sikh organisations have also voiced their dissent and are planning to move the Supreme Court challenging the decision.

"The judiciary has done injustice to the Sikh community and we will knock the door of the Apex Court," Leader of Sikh group Dal Khalsa, Kanwar Pal Singh says.

Apart from hurting the religious sentiments, the issue assumes greater significance as Punjab goes to polls early next year.