New Delhi: The Shiromani Akali Dal today took up the issue of screening of Sikhs in Italy by mandatory removing their turban at the time of taking up their proofs during biometric identification and appealed the External Affairs Minister to take quick action in the issue.
In a statement issued here today the Delhi MLA and the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) General Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa disclosed that during the meeting Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh was also present. He said that the Shiromani Akali Dal Italy unit had taken up this issue the party President Sukhbir Singh Badal and he took up this issue with the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on his behalf. He said that this is a very serious issue which is hurting the sentiments of the sikh community as Turban was very much part of their daily lives and they wear is it as per the teachings of the Sikh Guru Sahiban.
He said that earlier such disturbing reports were from other countries as well. He said that for taking the data on biometric devices there is no need to remove Turban. He said that decision of the Italy government has not gone well with the sikh community who has huge presence in the country.
After giving a patient hearing to Sirsa, Sushma Swaraj assured him that he will ask Indian Ambassador in Italy Reenat Sandhu to take up the issue with the Italy government and ask the government to remove such conditions which are hurting sentiments of the members of sikh community. She said that this issue was not in her notice earlier and now when Sirsa has brought it to her notice she will ensure that Indian Government takes up the issue with the Italian counterpart and held removing this anomaly .
She said that safeguarding the interests of the members of sikh and other communities belonging to India was paramount for the government and it will not be found lacking in it.
