PARIS, France—On April 9th 2013, Conseil Representatif des Sikhs de France met Paul Giacobbi, Socialist MP and Chairman of France at the the French Parliament to share various issues and concerns of French Sikhs.
Ranjit G. Singh, Director of Public Affairs, explained the concerns of French Sikh community and the changes that should be pushed by the French MPs. Despite UN decisions, the French Government is still not moving its position on Dastar on ID cards. It should be noted that the law banning religious symbols in public schools is contrary to the international conventions. MP Paul Giacobbi added that this law should change and only prohibit signs which are disturbing law and order in public schools, such as Nazi cross, and not specifically religious signs.
Human rights issues and abolition of death penalty in India were also discussed with MP Paul Giacobbi, who assured that France policy was always to encourage and support the abolition of death penalty.
MP Paul Giacobbi expressed that it was awkward for French delegation in India to deal with the French Sikhs issues. He hoped that the awareness program and work of Conseil Representatif des Sikhs de France will help resolve French Sikhs issues.
In November 2013, The Conseil Representatif des Sikhs de France will be organizing a Book Fair in Paris on Sikh Heritage and Commune History of Sikhs and France. MP Paul Giacobbi will be a chief guest at the event.
The meeting was attended by senior French Sikh leaders, including Bhai Parmjit Singh Sohal and Bhai Davinder Singh Ghuman (Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar, France), and Bhai Basant Singh Panjhata (Sikh Council France). The Sikh delegation expressed that it was glad to have a 5th French MP supporting French Sikhs’ Issues.
