United Sikhs before UNHRC challenging the ban on Sikhs to wear turbans by the French Government.
Punjab MLA request Badal to pass a unanimous resolution to support United Sikhs

To, 17-12-2008

S. Prakash Singh Badal,
Chief Minister,
Punjab

Subject: Request to summon an emergency one day session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha to pass a unanimous resolution to support the case filed by United Sikhs before the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) challenging the ban on Sikhs to wear turbans by the French Government.

Respected Badal Ji,

As we are aware that the Govt. of France has imposed as unfair ban on Sikhs living in France to wear their turban and other religious symbols in public schools and other Govt. related organizations. Although this ban has been in effect since March 2004, not enough has been done by the Shiromani Akali Dal or the SGPC. Now that an independent group of Sikhs living in the USA and other European countries by the name of United Sikhs have filed a case before the UNHRC in New York, it is our moral duty to support their genuine grievance. By doing so we would respect the sentiments of those Sikhs who have been targetted by the French Govt. through this biased law.

Although as suggested above, it was the moral duty of your party SAD and the SGPC to fight for the rights of the Sikhs living in France, since when it comes to votes you claim SAD and the SGPC to be the sole representative party of the Sikhs. I personally feel that instead of United Sikhs approaching the UNHRC or the European Court it was the duty of the SAD and the SGPC to fight for the rights of affected Sikhs of France. Your party and the SGPC have merely offered lip service for this important cause of our community. Infact Dr. Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to France has publicly requested Mr. Sarkozy, the French President, to review this ban on Sikhs.

It is never too late to support a good cause therefore, I request that the Govt. call an emergency session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha to pass a resolution in favour of Sikhs living in France to urge the French Govt. and the UNHRC to review this anti- Sikh law at the earliest. I assure you that in case you summon the Vidhan Sabha the Congress party would unconditionally support this unanimous resolution. This resolution would definitely strengthen the cases filed by the United Sikhs before the UN Court. I would also go a step forward to even request the SGPC to summon its general house meeting and pass a similar resolution there too. Both resolutions would boost the morale of Sikhs across the globe.

In case you fail to do as suggested it would be presumed that your party is only interested in the votes of the Sikhs and not their issues.

With Regards

Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA Bholath

CC : Sh. Nirmal Singh Kahlon,
Hon'ble Speaker, Vidhan Sabha.