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Journalism of Courage
Political and religious heads should engage with each other on this crucial issue of public safety
Should women riding two-wheelers be exempted from wearing helmets? A PIL challenging such an exception in the Capital has brought the matter,that entwines in it public safety concerns and religious sentiments,to a head. While the transport department of Delhi told the high court last week that it was willing to change the provisions in the Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules 1993 to make it mandatory for women two-wheeler riders including those riding pillion to wear protective headgear,CM Sheila Dikshit struck a different note. Dikshit said the rule was formulated over a decade ago on requests by a particular community and the option could not be revoked so easily.
Dikshit should imaginatively take the discussion forward. She should reach out to and engage with Sikhs,their liberal scholars and theologians; the political and administrative arm and the religious bodies should together evolve a solution. Campaigns to educate women on the necessity of wearing a helmet should be intensified. This is a matter of life and death.
