A top Irish politician is demanding An Garda Siochana scrap a ban on Sikh officers wearing a turban on duty.


Government TD Ciaran Cuffe, Green Party, has written to Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy calling for the ban to be lifted.

"The turban is a vital part of the rules of the Sikh religion. Sikh men are prohibited from cutting their hair or appearing in public without the turban," Mr Cuffe said.

"In my opinion, the wearing of a turban would in no way impinge upon the operational effectiveness of a member of the force."

Mr Cuffe said the ban does not meet international best practice.

Police forces in the UK, US, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan and India have no problem in allowing the wearing of turbans.

Sikh soldiers on United Nations peacekeeping missions have always been permitted to wear the turban. [Link]