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