Source: Sify News

http://sify.com/news/international/fullstory.php?id=13566766

On September 14, 2004 Sify News reported, "France will soon resolve the issue of wearing of turbans by Sikh children studying in French schools, an Indo-French forum has been assured. This was conveyed to Ashwani Kumar, MP and President of Indo-French Parliamentary Friendship Group, by the French Ambassador in India Dominique Girard, the Rajya Sabha member said in a statement. The assurance followed an appeal made by Kumar at a dinner meeting last night hosted in honour of the President of the France-India Friendship Group of the French Senate Pierre Fauchon who is leading a delegation to India... Kumar drew the delegations attention to the 'sensitive' issue pertaining to the French policy of prohibiting the wearing of turbans in public by members of Sikh community, affecting school going Sikh children. Responding to the appeal, Girard said the French Government would soon resolve the issue 'to the satisfaction of the Sikh community which is held in high esteem in France,' the statement quoted the Ambassador as saying. Girard also assured Kumar that all Sikh children would be enabled to attend classes consistent with their religious sensitivities in the spirit of liberalism and equality, it added."