Source: The Hindu

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200506021627.htm

On June 2, 2005 The Hindu reported, "The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has congratulated Mr. Dominique de Villepin on his appointment as France's new Prime Minister, recalling his promise as Foreign Minister last year over the Sikh turban issue in his country.

During his Indian visit in February last year, Mr Villepin, flanked by NCM chief Tarlochan Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Secretary-General Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, had told reporters at a Delhi hotel that the French Government would work out a solution for turban-wearing Sikh pupils caught up in Paris' secularity law.

The law bans display of overt religious symbols, such as Islamic headscarves, Jewish skullcaps, Christian crosses as well as Sikh turbans, at French schools."