Sikh MPs in Canada urged to address Quebec’s turban ban

The controversial law, known as Bill 21, was adopted in June 2019. It prohibits judges, police officers, teachers, and other public servants in positions of authority in Quebec from wearing religious symbols such as the kippah, turban, or hijab while at work.

The healthcare sector will be impacted as registered nursing graduates from college will be unable to remain in Canada, despite identical programmes offered at universities being unaffected.(REUTERS/Chris Wattie/File Photo)

Tarlochan Singh, former chairman of India’s National Commission of Minorities, has called on the top Sikh body and Sikh MPs from Canada to address the ban on turbans for public servants in positions of authority in Quebec.

Singh, a former Indian parliament member, urged Jathedar Akal Takhat, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and Sikh MPs in Canada to follow the lead of their counterparts in the UK, who successfully had a similar law amended to protect Sikh symbols.

The controversial law, known as Bill 21, was adopted in June 2019. It prohibits judges, police officers, teachers, and other public servants in positions of authority in Quebec from wearing religious symbols such as the kippah, turban, or hijab while at work. In February 2024, the Quebec Court of Appeal upheld the law’s constitutionality despite challenges.

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Singh, who is on a brief visit, stated, “This is more serious than the law in France, where turbans are banned for Sikh students in government schools.” He expressed confusion over why Sikh MPs in Canada have not yet addressed this as a significant issue of discrimination.

“We are the only religious community in the world where everyone is permitted to maintain long hair covered as per religious requirements,” Singh added. He appealed to all concerned to urge the Chief Minister of Quebec to revisit and amend the law and suggested seeking support from the Catholic hierarchy.

“In UK, Sikhs achieved similar legal protections for Sikh symbols through persistent efforts,” he noted.

(With Inputs from PTI)

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