On Sukhbir's plea on Rehat Maryada Guv agrees to have helmet exemption for Sikh women sympathetically reviewed
Chandigarh May 4 – The Punjab Governor Mr V P Singh Badnor today assured an SAD-BJP delegation that the issue of exemption to the Sikh women from the compulsory wearing of helmets would be reviewed sympathetically in the light of fresh request received in this regard from the delegation.
A delegation led by Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal and Mr Shwait Malik, presidents respectively of the Shiromani Akali Dal and Bhartiya Janata Party (Punjab Unit) respectively had called on the Governor with sensitive issues relating to religious sentiments of the Sikh community on matters agitating the minds of the Sikh masses.
The issue of compulsory wearing of helmets by women, including the Sikh women, was raised at the meeting with the Governor by S. Hardeep Singh, president of the SAD ( Chandigarh) and Mr. Charanjit Singh Villi, spokesperson of the SAD. Mr Badal pointed out to the Governor that that the wearing of a helmet or a cap (topi) in any form was barred for any Sikh as per the Sikh Rehat Maryada . This rehat maryada applied equally to all the Sikhs , regardless of their gender. Consequently, the Sikh ladies were exempted from the need for compulsory wearing of safety helmets. Mr Sukhbir Singh also pointed out that not only in India, but in several foreign countries also, governments had allowed such exemptions to the Sikh men and women on issues that involve the Sikh Rehat Maryada. This is done as a mark of respect for the freedom of conscience and the right to practice the order of one’s own faith.
Mr Badal also pointed out that the Sikh soldiers and officers in the Indian army , who had to face the most extreme threats to their lives in the line of fire while defending their motherland , prefer to honour and observe the Rehat Maryada of the Sikh faith, and they do not use the helmet as it is prohibited in our religious practices. Thus the Sikh soldiers go to the war zones wearing only their turban as their headgear, without a protective helmet even when there is intensive and lethal hostilities from both sides. Mr Badal also said that it had been historically observed that the Sikh soldiers have set amazing and incredible examples in patriotic bravery defending their motherland with enviable heroism and success when they bravely enter the field of action with just their turbans as the symbol of the Great Guru Sahiban protecting them, they have
The Punjab governor apparently seemed visibly moved and promised to consider the matter in the light of the religious sensitivity which was brought to his attention by Mr Badal and Mr Shwait Malik, supporting the exemption from wearing helmets for the Sikh ladies while driving or riding two wheelers.
