French FM greeted with Sikh protests<\/p>\n
INDIA: A small group of Sikhs and Muslims on Friday held a noisy
\ndemonstration in the Indian capital against a French government
\nproposal to ban Islamic headscarves and other religious symbols,
\nincluding Sikh turbans, in state schools.<\/p>\n
The protests coincided with the visit to India of French
\nForeign Minister Dominique de Villepin.<\/p>\n
About two dozen Sikhs and a few Muslims raised placards and
\nblack flags and shouted angry slogans against the French
\ngovernment at Jantar Mantar, a favorite venue for protests in the
\nheart of New Delhi.<\/p>\n
They tried to march their way into Parliament Street which
\nleads to the parliament building but were stopped by the police.
\nThey later dispersed peacefully.<\/p>\n
Some of the placards read, \"Sikhs across the world will not
\ntolerate the ban on turbans; Take back the ban on turbans; Shame-
\nShame to French government; Down with French government.\"<\/p>\n
\"We want to tell Mr. Villepin that this action of the French
\ngovernment is against our religious freedom,\" said Paramjit Singh
\nParmar of the National Akali Dal, a Sikh political party which
\nhad organized the demonstration. -- AFP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/french-fm-greeted-with-sikh-protests-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}