S. Simranjit Singh, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), asked the U.S. Commission for Internationl Religious Freedom to place France on its Watch List in part because of the nation's stance on articles of faith in public schools (see previous posts). Singh argues, "The French government continues to deny Sikh students the right to religious freedom and education."

In addition, Singh notes that Sikhs in France have had "to remove their turbans and open their hair for being photographed for identity purposes, whether it is a driving license or a citizen card. There can be nothing more humiliating than this to a Sikh."

In his remarks, Singh also commented on the case of Ripudaman Singh, a Sikh who was denied the right to carry his kirpan in Denmark (see previous post).