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Religious intolerance in Europe
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While
delivered in June 2005, while the author was a political
activist; the text of this speech is equally relevant today. WSN
presents this speech by its regular columnist Jagmohan Singh
questioning the aparthied policy of the French Government-
Editor. |
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 Distinguished
Leaders and activists, Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Wahegru Ji Ki Fateh. It
is an honour and a privilege to participate in the OSCE conference
on Anti-Semitism and other forms of Intolerance. I am here on
behalf of my party, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar),
which has been waging a consistent battle for survival of the Sikh
nation in homeland, Panjab.
Sikhs are an
international nationality, whose ethnic roots are in Panjab. Apart
from Panjab, Sikhs have made various parts of the globe, their
second home. There is a substantial concentration of Sikhs in
various parts of
Europe.
I speak for them and their problems.
Leaving one’s
home and hearth to escape genocide or for economic reasons is always
a painful experience for anyone. It has been so for the Sikhs as
well. In the early part of the last century, Sikhs left Panjab for
economic reasons as
India was
following the socialist model of governance and development and
Panjab received step-motherly treatment at the hands of the state.
In the later
part of the last century, Sikhs were subjected to harassment,
torture and genocide by the Indian state. A large number of Sikh
youth had to flee Panjab to save their lives. A sizeable number of
these reached various parts of
Europe and were
given asylum. By dint of their diligence and hard work they have
established them well in the societies they choose to live in. All
Sikhs, maintaining their identity, have assimilated with the
cultures of their chosen countries. They participate in the social,
cultural and political lives of these countries. Thousands of
Sikhs, who fought as part of the Commonwealth Armies, lie buried in
the cemeteries of
Europe.
Growing
religious intolerance in Europe
In
France and other
parts of Europe, we see a disturbing trend of the growth of
neo-fascism and neo-Nazism. The French general, Marshall Patien set
up the Vichy regime and collaborated with the Nazis in deporting
Jews, Socialists, Communists and gypsies to concentration camps.
Today, Sikhs in
Europe
are reeling under a difficult social situation.
France has taken
the lead in suppressing their religious rights. Since December 2003,
France has jolted the Sikhs by enacting a law curbing their right to
wear the turban. Attempts are being made in Germany and Belgium to
curb this religious right of the Sikh people. There have been three
major incidents of government officers denying the right to wear the
turban in Germany. Denmark, a Scandinavian country, upholder of
civil rights, has denied a Sikh student the right to wear his Kirpan.
We strongly
believe that
France, which is
widely believed to be the home of liberty, equality and fraternity,
is also the centre of racism since the Second World War. The ban on
the Sikh turban and the humiliation to Sikhs while photographing
them for identity purposes after removing their turban is the
highpoint of its racist policy. Besides, this, it is an extremely
humiliating experience for us and irks us for an endless period.
We fear very
strongly that if this evil is not nipped in the bud, it will spread
all over
Europe.
We also very strongly feel that the meaning of Secularism as adopted
by the French is incorrect. Secularism does not mean an irreligious
system. It means that the state will not interfere in the religious
belief of its citizens. The American currency note, bears, “In God
we Trust”. Will the French refuse to accept the dollar bill? The
Queen of England, as the British head of State, has to be a
Christian, as per the English Constitution. This does not mean that
the other religions are not acceptable and the Americans and the
British are not secular.
French Apartheid
against the Sikhs and other Ethnic Minorities
The Turban is
our crowning glory. The turban is a part of our religious
profession. The turban is not an ostentatious sign. To imagine a
Sikh without the turban is to visualize him naked. Besides, it is
the cultural emblem of a Sikh. He feels undressed without wearing
it, just like any person from the Western society would feel without
his clothes. For example, if I were to appear in this conference
without a turban, I would feel that I am being disrespectful to this
distinguished assembly. The turban case has been fought in the
British Parliament, in Canadian and American courts, from school to
service matters. Sikhs have won their right everywhere. The ban on
the turban is an infringement of our individual rights as a global
citizen, as enshrined in the UN Bill of Rights as well as a clear
violation of various UN treaties and conventions. It is a clear
case of apartheid.
Appeal
The
distinguished gathering of the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in
Europe
should take immediate stock of the situation as pertains to the
Sikhs.
France must
respect the Sikh right to wear the turban and Sikh children must not
be denied the right to education, by forcing them not to wear the
turban.
Denmark must
allow Sikhs to wear the Kirpan.
We believe that
a Minorities commission must be set up as a branch of the OSCE to
monitor the protection of rights of etnic minorities in OSCE states.
Mouchas
Gracias-Thank you very much
This speech was
delivered at the conference on Anti-Semitism and other forms of
intolerance at Cardoba, Spain, June 2005 organised by Organisation
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE
23 January 2008
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