NEW DELHI—After the veteran athlete Milkha Singh (widely known as the flying Sikh), cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi, and singer Daler Mehndi, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK has also joined the campaign against discrimination being committed by International Basketball Federation (FIBA) against Sikh players.
FIBA has imposed a ban on wearing patka (headgear) by Sikh basketball players. Sikh players were not allowed to wear patka in a match of Asia Cup held in China recently. The ban meets outrage across the World among Sikh community.
In a move to sign a petition against the decision of FIBA, GK has made appeal to every section of society, and specially the Sikhs across the world, to join the campaign. GK has stated that there was a need to raise the voice so ‘sports could be independent of religious discrimination’.
He has urged the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) President Yvan Mainini to remove the ban as turban is a religious mandate for the Sikhs. The petition can be signed on change.org.
On Twitter, people have been protesting the turban ban using the hastag #LetSikhsPlay
Dear Mr. MSGK,
Have you read on this web page that two American Senetors
have also put a appeal to the FBIA.
Why not join them.
Why not involve Indian Foreign Ministry in this appeal.
Raise the Question in Indian Parliament.
Are you trying to get Publicity??
Absolutely disgusted at this! Is that how the Sikhs are treated after being one of the most hardworking communities!!! Wherever they go, the adapt the culture and integrate with the society! You see some extreme religions where they don’t even consider anyone else a human unless you belong to their religion and Sikhs on the other side are ome of the the most successful community in the world! By banning the youth to play bcoz they are wearing turbans or patkas is actually installing hatred in their hearts against the west! Let them integrate those that want to integrate! When Sikhs fought for the British and many other countries wearing turbans, why can’t they then play wearing turbans! Absolutely disgusted if this doesn’t stop this is going to cause havoc and I will never support ‘FIBA’!!!! Shame on you. You are racist and disgusting!!!!