French FM greeted with Sikh protests

French FM greeted with Sikh protests

INDIA: A small group of Sikhs and Muslims on Friday held a noisy demonstration in the Indian capital against a French government proposal to ban Islamic headscarves and other religious symbols, including Sikh turbans, in state schools.

The protests coincided with the visit to India of French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin.

About two dozen Sikhs and a few Muslims raised placards and black flags and shouted angry slogans against the French government at Jantar Mantar, a favorite venue for protests in the heart of New Delhi.

They tried to march their way into Parliament Street which leads to the parliament building but were stopped by the police. They later dispersed peacefully.

Some of the placards read, "Sikhs across the world will not tolerate the ban on turbans; Take back the ban on turbans; Shame- Shame to French government; Down with French government."

"We want to tell Mr. Villepin that this action of the French government is against our religious freedom," said Paramjit Singh Parmar of the National Akali Dal, a Sikh political party which had organized the demonstration. -- AFP