Sikhs Protest US Bill On 'Religious Dress'

July 17, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: NDTV

http://www.ndtv.com/news/diaspora/sikhs_protest_us_bill_on_religious_dress.php

Sikhs in the US have slammed a state law that would bar teachers from the community in public schools from wearing "religious dress" including turbans, a move that may spark a racial row.

In effect, the bill passed by the Oregon legislature and now on the governor's desk "prohibit teachers from wearing religiously-mandated attire, including turbans and other distinctive clothes by the Sikh community, in public schools.

The bill says education officials and schools would not be breaking the law if they "prohibit a teacher from wearing religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher."