The proposal of special helmets for the protection of turbaned Sikh soldiers has created a controversy. From religious leaders to political personalities are opposing it. Recently, the Defense Ministry had proposed ballistic helmets for turbaned Sikh soldiers. Now some Sikh organizations and Akal Takht Jathedars have stood against it.
It is reported that this modern headgear is being rejected. The special thing is that in Sikhism, men are not allowed to wear turban, cut beard and hair. Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh refused to let Sikhs wear helmets. Through a video message, he has told it against the Sikh code.
He said, “The dastar worn on the head by a Sikh is not just a cloth of 5-7 meters, but a crown given by the Gurus… and the symbol of the Sikhs.” He said that any attempt to cover up the Sikh identity would be seen as an attempt to destroy their identity. Apart from this, the invention of a woman living in Canada is also on target. He designed a multisport helmet for Sikh children.
On January 5, the Ministry of Defense had issued a tender or request for proposal for 12 thousand 730 ballistic helmets for Sikh soldiers. These helmets would cover the entire face of the soldier. It has been specifically stated in the proposal that 8 thousand 911 indigenous helmets should be ‘Large’ and 3 thousand 819 ‘Extra Large’. Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal has also called the helmet an attack on Sikh identity. At the same time, he has warned of protests.