row erupts as school asks hindu kids to wear turbans

CHEEMA (SANGRUR, PUNJAB): Even as Sikhs in France and India complain loudly about the turban ban in schools there, a school here has directed all its Hindu students to wear a pagri 'without fail'.

The Akal Academy here, which has branches across the country, started operations in 1993 and has 1,400 students now.

A substantial 20% are Hindus. Not content with forcing the turban on Hindu students, the school has now announced a fine for all "defaulters" and said that the turban is an indispensable part of its dress code.

Anger at this stricture has spread quickly and parents of Hindu students have been protesting through the days, demanding a withdrawal of the decision. They have blocked roads and raised slogans against the management, even as the school defended its diktat.

"What is this," asked Ashok Jindal. "They have said all students not wearing a turban should pay Rs 10 as fine. It is just not fair."

Hindu parents have now got together to write a letter to the Punjab education minister and secretary. "What do the France school protests mean if they do this here," Jindal said.

When contacted, D R Yadav, regional officer, CBSE, said no school can compel any student to wear the turban or any other religious symbol. But Baba Jai Vinder Singh, chief manager at the academy, wasn't moved.

with thanks to Times of India 9th may 08