US Sikh Body Campaigns for Prisoners to Keep Hair

September 12, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Sindh Today

http://www.sindhtoday.net/world/20126.htm

A Sikh body is mobilising opinion against forcing prisoners of the community to cut their hair following the case of Florida prison authorities forcibly cutting the hair of a Sikh inmate, Jagmohan Singh Ahuja.

United Sikhs, a US-based advocacy group, which termed the July incident involving Ahuja as ‘gross violation’ of religious rights, has started a signature campaign in favour of the right for Sikh prisoners to keep ‘kesh’ (unshorn hair).

United Sikhs said in a statement Thursday that its members and lawyers are approaching Florida governor and officials of Duval county jail in Jacksonville as part of their campaign.

See also: Sikhism, Prisons