Sikh headgear

[Lucas CAV]

Pickled Piper said:

Scraggles said:

how do they wash their hair, or do they skip that sort of thing ?

guess swimming is out as well ?

Cleanliness and hygiene are very important to an orthodox Sikh. Devout Sikhs will rise before sunrise every day, bathe and then recite a morning prayer.

pp

I think scraggles is labouring under the illusion that sikhs don't ever remove their turbans

[ExChrispy Porker]

I think a lot of people don't know what they are talking about.

[ExChrispy Porker]

Having said that, it keeps some lonely souls happy , I suppose.

[Westy Pre-Lit]

poo at Paul's said:

Sikhs should be made to wear mahoosive crash helmets on motorbikes for no other reason than it would be bloody funny to see them bombing about like extras from "Mars Attacks"!

Sorry about this.......

[mrmr96]

The irony of his complaint of discrimination is that HE WAS NOT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST - HE WAS TREATED THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE. When it was he himself who demanded special treatment and didn't get it, apparently that's 'discrimination'... Cock off.

[ExChrispy Porker]

Apparently.
Perhaps the idiot lawyers who represent the police management might have considered that before going to court with this nonsense

[Pickled Piper]

audidoody said:

If his faith was so important to him why sign up for something that could compromise it?

Bit like a Muslim chap applying for a job at a pig farm and then going to the Tribunal when he's forced to muck out.

Audidoody,

That's not a good analogy. Sikhs have served in the British Military for over 100 years. They have Policed British Colonies for a similar period. Hong Kong up until 1997. There are many Sikh families living in the UK with several generations who have served in the British Military and /or the Police service.

Historically the British authorities picked them out specifically because of their Martial prowess, discipline and loyalty. They were encouraged to enlist and retain their religious identity including the turban. In fact at one time it was a court martial-able offence for s Sikh soldier in the British army not to wear a turban. Sikh Policemen were treated in a similar fashion.

A better, although, not a perfect analogy would be to go tell the Gurkhas that they can't serve in Afghanistan because of those curved knives they insist on carrying. They are not practical and there is no reason to treat these chaps differently. They should adopt the same knife as the rest of the British military or go find another job.

I'm not condoning what the SIkh PC did but it is important to understand the historical context.

pp

[ypauly]

I take it as there were no replies, my invention has either been disregarded or stolen.

[Tiggsy]

pugwash4x4 said:

when i see a Sikh i think "turbans are pretty cool"

I understand your point....but no, you don't think turbans are cool. That's like saying you have no problems with lesbians....in fact, a grade 2 haircut and dungarees and quite funky.

[bobbylondonuk]

The Sikh religion is almost like budhism in concept....be morally good, serve others to your best ability.

When i returned to India from kuwait in 90 after uncle saddam decided to pay a visit. Bombay airport (I will still call it bombay) was surrounded by Sikhs who treated returning refugees like myself and others with respect and helped us with whatever we needed on our onward journeys. Unlike other Indian communities who looked at us with sympathy, ridicule and patronising bullst.

there is a saying in India...IF an Indian gets into trouble anywhere in the world...Only one Indian will stay by your side come thick or thin and it WILL be a Sikh all other will run!

That is why they are one of the few communities who have integrated and supported britain the most from India. They are taught to be selfless and serve others.

The PC in question here deserves to be ridiculed...even the sikhs would tell him off so why is the employment tribunal patronising his sorry arse?

[5unny]

I don't think there is any argument against what the Sikhs have contributed to the British state and formerly the empire for the last century however I don't see why that should have any bearing whatsoever when it comes to decisions like this.

[juice]

Whne I lived in the UK my best mate was a Sikh. Top, Top bloke, even though he did have the annoying habit of calling me a "Dumb Gora" all the time

[Lefty Two Drams]

pugwash4x4 said:

I really respect Sikhs- there ethical codes towards woman, work and life in general is much more aligned with Western christianity (in its broadest sense) than Islam. They never seem to push their weight around, are polite, friendly and seeem to want to integrate. Also have a proud martial tradition going back centuries which is always helpful i think.

I have worked with quite a few sikhs and this summation is perfect (based on my, albeit limited, experience of them).

I agree that refusal to wear the helmet should automatically disqualify the copper in question from that duty. It's a basic requirementy that he cannot (will not?) meet. If he were injured during a riot and wasn't wearing the lid, what would happen?

[Scraggles]

Lucas CAV said:

I think scraggles is labouring under the illusion that sikhs don't ever remove their turbans

something like that, so they can remove the turbans to wash and swim, but not to don safety gear, nice little earner to proclaim racist!

[Fittster]

Out of interest does the colour of a turban represent anything or can a Sikh choose whatever colour he likes (I've seen a range of colours, although never a pattern)?

[Lucas CAV]

hora said:

Slightly O/T but I find it distasteful when a person of a particular ethnicity, religion etc etc suddenly becomes the representative for their whole culture in some of the press. In some ways it purpetuates stereo types?

I'm guessing here but I bet I wouldnt be allowed on riot duty as I can see my self throwing myself in solo into a malee rather than listening to instruction/orders

you're my hero

[Muntu]

hora said:

stereo types

[Muntu]

Everything has a solution

[Engineer1]

There is an argument that the turban provides more protection than most hard hats, as it is a huge ammount of fabric and hair.

[Muntu]

Engineer1 said:

There is an argument that the turban provides more protection than most hard hats, as it is a huge ammount of fabric and hair.

That sounds like an argument that would be easy to lose