Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - CHANDIGARH: Akali government might project itself as the sole representative of Sikh identity and principles when it comes to the issue of ban on turban in France but the very same government in its rule and soil has made it compulsory for all the women police officials to wear headgears including Sikh women as well.
Meanwhile, the issue of headgear worn by Punjab policemen with a frill is still not resolved. The percentage of Sikh women cops is about 57 per cent and many of them are Amritdhari (baptized) as well. Even a non-Sikh knows that Sikhs do not wear headgears or helmets as it is against the principles of Sikhism.
Akal Takht Jathedar Gyani Gurbachan Singh has maintained silence on this whole issue. On the one hand, SGPC and Akal Takht are instrumental to protect the interests of the Sikh community abroad, while in Punjab which is known as ‘Land of the Gurus’, they have proved unsuccessful in maintaining the dignity of ‘Dastar’. This is completely prominent from the fact that the new women recruits have no other option but to wear headgears during duty hours.
Meanwhile, many new recruits in Punjab police lamented (on condition of anonymity) that the whole development is completely against Punjab culture. Earlier, women cops wore Salwar-Kameez and dupatta which has been replaced by shirt-trouser and the headgear has come as another shock to them. Questioning Akal Takht jathedar’s stand on the headgear issue, they said in such a scenario Sikh girls will never be able to join police forces.
Lambasting at SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkad, who is ready for staging dharnas on Delhi roads, they said he should intervene as soon as possible to protect the interests of Sikh community. As per the sources, Jathedar Takht Kesgarh Sahib Trilochan Singh in his letter vide 656, dated May 24, 2012 appealed Gyani Gurbachan Singh to find out solution to the grievances faced by the cops from Sikh community.
Now the ball is in Gurbachan Singh’s court, as to when he will issue a ‘hukamnama’ against the Akali government for compelling the Sikhs to wear a headgear?
Source: Punjab Newsline Network