New Delhi, March 25: Shiromani Akali Dal leaders submitted a memorandum to Italian Ambassador Giacomo Sanfelice di Monteforte here on Thursday registering their protest over Amritinder Singh, coach of international golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, being asked to remove his turban during a security check at an Italian airport recently.
Led by Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, the delegation impressed upon the ambassador that there was outrage within the community over the way Sikhs were being treated by security officials at airports in Italy. Referring to the incident where Mr. Amritinder Singh was told to remove his turban, the delegates said the security officials at the airport did not relent despite the coach telling them that it was against international law.
The delegates said that such behaviour was unacceptable to the community as the turban was the most recognisable feature of a Sikh. They emphasised that unlike other head coverings it was an inextricable part of the Sikh identity and worn by them at all times to cover their unshorn hair, a compulsory article of their faith.
They said that their protests and condemnation be conveyed to the highest authority in the Italian Government to ensure that such unwarranted incidents do not recur in future.
Among others, the delegation comprised Akali Dal Lok Sabha MPs Rattan Singh Ajnala, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Paramjit Kaur Gulshan and Sher Singh Ghubaya.
-Agencies