Telford Sikhs lobby MP David Wright over ‘disrespectful’ laws
Tuesday 22nd March 2011, 6:51PM GMT.
Sikhs from Shropshire today travelled to Parliament to lobby politicians to challenge “disrespectful” new EU laws which they claim are forcing turbans to be manhandled and removed at airports.
The Telford Sikhs were meeting Telford MP David Wright, who has accepted their petition against regulations they say are forcing turbans to be removed in public.
Hermohinder Singh Uppal, general secretary of Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Hadley, said: “It is very disrespectful and an insult to a Sikh if his turban is manhandled by a third person or removed in public.
“It appears that some airport staff have not been properly trained and others appear to have been given conflicting guidance on these new security procedures.”
Mr Wright said: “We have to be clear, Sikhs don’t mind being searched, but they would like it to be done in a private room in a respectful manner, and that is a reasonable ask. We need to take account of cultural issues.”
Mr Wright has written to Mr Hammond to request clarification on the Government’s position.
A Department for Transport spokesman said the Government had held constructive discussions with faith representatives and both parties had agreed to a trial offering alternative screening methods for religious or cultural headgear.
“It is up to individual airports to decide whether or not they are able to participate although we are pleased that many of the UK’s major airports are taking part.”
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If you do not agree with the rules do not fly. I object to being frisked or scanned but if I need to fly, I will gladly agree to it.
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When in Rome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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@When in Rome!!!!”; well……what if you are from Rome, and love Rome because of it’s diversity! and you enjoy being part of a Roman minority!!
I wear a turban, I’m not Punjabi, I’m white, and I’m a Sikh. It would be nice to be asked to remove the turban in a dignified, respectful, and private place. Sikhs love life, love God, and love religous freedom with respect. That’s all. The Turban is literally a symbol of that! It isn’t anything to do with terrorism.
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I’m surprised Mr. Wright has nothing better to do with his time. Once again we have religion trying to dictate how the UK should conduct itself.
They live in the UK therefore are answerable to the law as it stands. Special private rooms??????? The mind boggles. What happens if a Sikh is riding a motorcycle wearing a crash helmet, and is told to remove it before entering the filling station shop to pay for his fuel, just as the rest are?
I think it’s just an excuse to play the discrimination card and should be treated as such. Trivial.
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It’s not one rule for one group of people and another for the rest of us. If I went thru customs in a cowboy hat or fez I’d be asked to take it off, same goes for turbans, burkers, skullcaps and bishops mitres. Terrorism does not deal in respect and disrespect.
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Asking a Sikh to remove his turban is like asking someone to remove their clothes. Sikhs understand that there are security measures and they are willing to comply. I don’t think it is too much to ask for private screenings. They don’t want to be humiliated in public.
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I agree
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Colin. I don’t think they have to wear a crash helmet if they wear a turban, they used to be exempt from the law, this was years ago when the law first came out, it may have changed over the years since but I don’t thing so.
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maybe the system should be changed to be respectful to everyone, and not just one group? If we had the ‘naked body scanners’ at all airports then this wouldnt be an issue because no clothes would need to be removed by anyone.
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Sikhism’s fundamental beliefs are based on equality and the rejection of discrimination, something many of the respondants above would do well to consider.
All that the Sikh’s lobbying Mr Wright are asking for is a little respect. Unfortunately, this is something we’ve all lost in the over reaction to the “war on terror”.
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Sad to see the usual purveyors of ignorance getting their views across. Better still to see the voices of decency and reason who can observe that this is not a request to flout the law merely a request to be accommodated. Now if nuns were to make a similar request would the same objections and criticisms be raised? I think not.
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They probably would Simon, there is a move in the country to make us all toe the intolerant secular line rather than allowing for religious recognition and differences. We often see reports of the ugly face of secular intolerance in the media, usually dressed up as protecting some other so called equality or right.
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Let me know when you are going to toe the line, I need to see that.
On subject – Next time you are at an airport look around and see what % of your fellow travellers are wearing a turban. Not many. So how is it really going to affect anyone voicing their dubious opinions here if a few people are treated with respect?
Live and let live.
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As a very private and shy person I am deeply uncomfortable and embarassed when I have to remove my coat, jumper, belt and shoes in front of strangers at an airport security check point. I have suffered the indignity of the scanner ‘bleeping’ and I was frisked and had some kind of hand held scanner run over me in front of onlookers, when nothing was found I asked what had set the machine off and was told that the security staff have a button to sound the alarm when they want too.
All this has been brought about by none christian terrorists yet it is the none christians who now demand exemptions ?
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Simon, nuns wearing turbans – ridiculous.
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