Tarlochan Singh, the former chairman of India’s National Commission for Minorities, has taken a stand against Quebec’s controversial legislation banning religious symbols for public servants. In a heartfelt plea released on Saturday, Singh addressed both Sikh Members of Parliament in Canada and the Jathedar of Akal Takht, urging immediate action to overturn the law that prohibits visible expressions of faith such as turbans and veils among police officers, teachers, and other government employees.
The Quebec law, enacted in 2019, aims to reinforce the province’s secular identity by restricting public servants from wearing religious symbols, including hijabs, turbans, and kippahs. Despite facing multiple legal challenges, the statute remains firmly in place, continuing to spark debates over religious freedom and discrimination.
In his letter, Singh highlighted the cultural and religious significance of the turban within the Sikh community. “I have come to know that in the State of Quebec in Canada a law was promulgated by which the Turban has been banned for all public servants, including teachers, police officers, and judges,” he wrote. He emphasized Quebec’s French-speaking heritage and its historical ties to France, noting the strong influence of the Catholic Church on the province’s populace.
Singh criticized the law as a more severe measure compared to similar restrictions in France, where Sikh students in government schools are also prohibited from wearing turbans. “This is more serious than the law in France,” Singh asserted. He expressed his perplexity over the lack of response from Canadian Sikh MPs, labeling the legislation as blatant discrimination against Sikhs—the only religious community globally that maintains long hair as a core aspect of their faith.
Furthermore, Singh pointed out that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) might be unaware of the ongoing legal battles in Canada concerning this issue. He called on Canadian Sikh leaders to engage with Quebec’s Chief Minister to reopen the case and seek amendments to the law. Singh also suggested reaching out to the Catholic hierarchy for support and drew parallels with the successful efforts in the United Kingdom, where similar laws were amended to protect Sikh religious symbols.
The former commission chairman’s appeal underscores the ongoing struggle for religious minorities to balance secular governance with the right to freely express their faith. As the Sikh community in Canada continues to navigate these challenges, Singh’s intervention highlights the need for sustained advocacy and collaboration between religious leaders and political representatives to ensure that laws do not infringe upon fundamental freedoms.
The response from Canadian Sikh MPs and the Jathedar of Akal Takht remains awaited, as the community seeks to address what many view as an infringement on religious rights and cultural identity. The situation in Quebec serves as a focal point for broader discussions on secularism, multiculturalism, and the protection of minority rights within diverse societies.
