WISCONSIN: S. Jasbir : Singh Sandhu resorted to indefinite hunger strike in the Oxford correction center here in protest against Prison Authorities’ refusal to let the Sikh prisoners wear turbans in the mess and during their meetings with relations and friends. Jasbir Singh, it may be Recalled, was transferred to Wis Consin from New Orleans jail along with Sukhwinder Singh and Virinder Singh, while Dr. GurPartap Singh Birk was transferred to Philadelphia.
Various Sikh organizations and individuals have written to the Prison Authorities requesting them to permit the Sikh prisoners to wear turbans as covering of head is mandatory for all Sikhs and forms part of the Sikh code. S. Surinder Pal Singh Kalra, member of W.S.O. National Council and Giani Mohinder Singh, Priest, Chicago Gurdwara met the three Sikhs in the Oxford Correctional Center on Saturday and found Jasbir Singh fully determined to carry his struggle for the turban to its logical end. Talking to them he said that he would rather follow S. Darshan Singh Pheruman than Sant Fateh Singh. When asked what message they would like to give to the Sikh nation, he said that the “paramount need of the moment is to forge unity” and to “follow the directives of Prof. Darshan Singh Khalsa, Acting Chief of Akal Takht”.
Sardar Kalra also met the Prison Chaplain and the Warden and gathered the impression that due to the hunger strike they appeared to be under strain. However, the Chaplain told them that if Jasbir Singh remained adamant, then, he may have to be removed to the hospital for forced fading. The Chaplain also explained that the permission to wear turban was not being given as it would mean allowing others also to wear their religious symbols.
Dr. Jasjit Singh Walia, Chairman Board of Directors and Professor of Chemistry, Loyola University, New Orleans has in a letter to Mr. Mark Ciske and Rev. Prickett Rush has emphasized the spiritual significance of turban for the Sikhs. Full text of the letter is reproduced below:
Dear Mr. Ciske and Rev. Rush:
The Sikh community is much distressed to learn that Messers Jasbir S. Sandhu, Sukhvinder Singh, and Virinder Singh are not permitted to wear turban at the premises of your jail. It is with deep sorrow that we are writing to you to carefully consider the religious importance of turban to the Sikhs. The turban, a head covering is mandatory for all Sikhs. The turban is the Sikhs symbolic crown of spirituality, just as the unshorn hair for Sikhs is meant to sustain higher spiritual consciousness. The turban is therefore, very much the part of Sikh code of dress. May we, therefore, pray to your honor to let the Sikhs in your jail wear the turban at their will.
Please be assured that we Sikhs are committed to uphold the laws of the United States in an exemplary manner.
Thank you very much for your kind consideration of our humble request. If we can be of any other assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Similar letters have been written by S. Amolakh Singh of New Orleans and the Sikh community of New Orleans. The letters in support of the turban cause can be.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 24, 1987
