NEW DELHI: As French President Nicolas Sarkozy landed in Delhi on Sunday, government sources indicated that the contentious issue of Sikh turbans in France would again be taken up with the French side. The government is expected to politely convey to Sarkozy how strongly India feels about the issue when he holds delegation-level talks with PM Manmohan Singh on Monday.
Sarkozy had an informal meeting over dinner with Singh after landing in Delhi from Agra on Sunday evening. In the past too, Singh has taken up the issue with Sarkozy and while the president has displayed understanding of the situation, Sikh groups continue to believe they are being discriminated against by the French government. Currently, it is difficult for a Sikh to acquire any identification-related document if he doesn't get himself photographed without removing his turban.
In his September 2008 summit talks in Paris, Singh had emphasized to Sarkozy that the turban was "a very essential part of the Sikh way of life". Sarkozy had then said that he had an "open mind" on the issue. Again in July 2009, after the French National Day celebrations, Singh had handed over a "non-official" document to Sarkozy on how to handle the problem. Sarkozy had then assured that there was no ban in France on Sikhs wearing turban.
With thanks : Times of India : link in headline for detailed news.
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