Spanish police apologises from Sikh NRI for removing turban at airport

CHANDIGARH: A Punjabi NRI Jaswant Singh Judge based in London has fought a long battle with the Spanish police, Guardia Civil, against removal of his turban for security check in full public view. The Spanish police has finally apologised from him and issued instructions to consider religious features of Sikhs during security check at airports.



Jaswant Singh judge who was in Chandigarh on Friday said that "I am satisfied that prestige and honour of turban has been restored for which he fought a long battle". He said that Lee Scott Member Parliament from Ilford North in London took up his case with the Spanish embassy and the interior ministry of Spain.

Giving details Judge said that incident had occured on March 12, 2008 when he and his wife were returning to England after a weeklong vacation in Tenerife on Ilberia flight No.977. He said that "We were placing our hand luggage on scanner belt, we were approached by a security gurad who asked me to remove turban. I explained to him that I am a Sikh and my turban is an integral aprt of my faith and I am not supposed to take it off. But he called his senior who also insited on removing turban", he stated.

Judge said that when all attmets failed and flight was about to leave he was left with no altrernative other than removing the rurban in full public view. He said that security officials had turned down his request to remove the turban inside security room. "It was very humilating for the whole Sikh community and then I decided to fight against  violation of my human rights", he said. Judge said that "Had I known that I would have to go through such humilation, I would never hav e travelled to Tenerife for my holidays".

The Director General of Guardia Civil, the Spanish Police, after an inquiry into the incident has written to Jaswant Singh Judge, "In reference to your complaint of 23rd March 2008, we inform you that a letter of explanation and apology has been attached.  Firstly, you are informed of article 16.1 of the Spanish Constitution that states:Freedom of ideology, religion, and cult of individuals and communities is guaranteed without any limitation in their demonstrations other than that which is necessary for the maintenance of public order protected by law.

The letter further said, "However, in this attached document it is also pointed out that for security reasons, tight measures are sometimes imposed on passengers at the frontiers, namely removal of shoes, belts and the alike.  Regarding your particular case, you are informed , that precise instructions have been given at airports in this province so that in future similar situations with  Sikhs, particular religious features be taken into consideration. Formal apologies are also stated".

Judge thanked the British MP Lee Scott and Monica Nunez British Pro Counsel for tkaing up his complaint with the Spain Government. He said that Sikh organisations in Punjab and abroad must propagate Sikhism.

Jaswant Singh judge who was in Chandigarh on Friday said that "I am satisfied that prestige and honour of turban has been restored for which he fought a long battle". He said that Lee Scott Member Parliament from Ilford North in London took up his cse with the Spanish embassy and the interior ministry of Spain.

Giving details Judge said that incident had occurred on March 12, 2008 when he and his wife were returning to England after a week long vacation in Tenerife on Ilberia flight No.977. He said that "We were placing our hand luggage on scanner belt, we were approached by a security guard who asked me to remove turban. I explained to him that I am a Sikh and my turban is an integral part of my faith and I am not supposed to take it off. But he called his senior who also insisted on removing turban", he stated.

Judge said that when all attempts failed and flight was about to leave he was left with no alternative other than removing the rurban in full public view. He said that security officials had turned down his request to remove the turban inside security room. "It was very humiliating for the whole Sikh community and then I decided to fight against  violation of my human rights", he said. Judge said that "Had I known that I would have to go through such humiliation, I would never have  travelled to Tenerife for my holidays".

The Director General of guardia civil, the Spanish police, had after an inquiry into the incident wrote to Jaswant Singh Judge wrote, "In reference to your complaint of 23rd March 2008, we inform you that a letter of explanation and apology has been attached.  Firstly, you are informed of article 16.1 of the Spanish Constitution that states:Freedom of ideology, religion, and cult of individuals and communities is guaranteed without any limitation in their demonstrations other than that which is necessary for the maintenance of public order protected by law.

The letter further said, "However, in this attached document it is also pointed out that for security reasons, tight measures are sometimes imposed on passengers at the frontiers, namely removal of shoes, belts and the alike.  Regarding your particular case, you are informed , that precise instructions have been given at airports in this province so that in future similar situations with  Sikhs, particular religious features be taken into consideration. Formal apologies are also stated".

Judge thanked the British MP Lee Scott and Monica Nunez British Pro Counsel for taking up his complaint with the Spain Government. He said that Sikh organisations in Punjab and abroad must propagate Sikhism.
 

Jaswant Singh Judge can be contacted at email address: jassy_judge@yahoo.co.jassy_judge@yahoo.co.jassy_judge@yahoo.co.jassy_judge@yahoo.co.jassy_judge@yahoo.co.uk