Police Brutality on Turbaned Sikhs in Pakistan

by Sudeep Singh

AI Generated Summary

  • At that time, Sikh leaders like Bakshi Jagdev Singh, Jathedar Santokh Singh, and others organized a protest in Delhi and explained to the French government the religious importance of the Dastar for Sikhs.
  • It asks why he has remained silent while such attacks are happening on Sikh identity in Pakistan.
  • According to Sikh religious code of conduct (Sikh Maryada), a Sikh is not allowed to wear any kind of cap or hat—only the Dastar (turban) is permitted.

In Pakistan—also referred to as “Lehnda Punjab”—Sikhs in the Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber regions are reportedly facing police harassment. Pakistani police are issuing fines (challans) to turban-wearing Sikhs riding two-wheelers, and petrol stations have been instructed not to provide fuel to two-wheeler riders without helmets. This has caused significant distress among the Sikh community in Pakistan.

According to Sikh religious code of conduct (Sikh Maryada), a Sikh is not allowed to wear any kind of cap or hat—only the Dastar (turban) is permitted. National Secretary General of Sikh Brotherhood InternationalGunjit Singh Bakshi, stated that this situation reflects the deep-rooted hatred that some Pakistanis continue to harbor towards Sikhs. He added that just as the ancestors of these people committed atrocities against Sikhs, the same mindset persists today. These deliberate laws aim to force Sikhs to remove their turbans and wear helmets, something the Sikh community will never accept.

A similar situation had occurred earlier in France, where turban bans sparked protests. At that time, Sikh leaders like Bakshi Jagdev SinghJathedar Santokh Singh, and others organized a protest in Delhi and explained to the French government the religious importance of the Dastar for Sikhs. Following this, the French government withdrew the directive.

Even today, if needed, the Sikh community will not hesitate to raise their voice again.

The article also questions Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who often claims to be the biggest supporter of Sikhs from foreign soil. It asks why he has remained silent while such attacks are happening on Sikh identity in Pakistan. No statement has been issued by him yet, raising doubts about his true commitment to Sikh issues.

Sudeep Singh

Co-Editor

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