UK Sikhs force lifting of ban on turbans (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 1 : International Relation
Prelims level : Wolverhampton Transport Committee
Mains level : Significance on the lift ban on turbans

Context

• Civic chiefs of Wolverhampton last night [April 9] lifted a two-year ban on Sikh busmen wearing beards and turbans – and averted a ritual suicide threat.

Key highlights

• The ban had angered Britain’s 130,000 Sikhs who considered it an affront to their religion, and it sparked demonstrations in India.
• The British Government, fearing a race crisis could blow up here [Wolverhampton, England], intervened, and last night the Wolverhampton Transport Committee reversed its policy – just four days before Sikh leader Sohan Singh Jolly planned to burn himself to death.
• Mr. Jolly, 66, a former Inspector in the Kenya Police, had declared that unless the ban was lifted, his self-immolation on Sunday would be followed by other prominent Sikhs in a chain of death-by-burning.
• A British Government junior Minister paid a surprise visit to Wolverhampton on Tuesday.
• The Committee, in apparent deference to this, said it was lifting the ban because of outside pressure.

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General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1) In a democracy, civil services plays an important role in
1. policy making
2. policy implementation
3. socio-economic development

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Mains Questions:
Q.1) Discuss the significance on the lift ban on turbans.