CALGARY: When Sikh RCMP officers are allowed to wear turbans with their uniforms it makes their religion a public issue says a Lawyer for a group challenging Mounties’ right to wear the headgear.
There are limits to the government’s obligation and indeed its right to accommodate religious symbolism Mark Edwards told a packed Federal Court chamber Jan.30
A group of former Mounties from Alberta is arguing that the force’s decision several years ago to allow British Columbia officer Baltej Dhillon to wear a turban violates the state’s obligation to treat all citizens equally.
The case has implications for native officers who wear braids as well as for the minorities working in uniform for the RCMP.
Allowing the uniform to be altered to reflect religious or ethnic background destroys the public perception that the RCMP is impartial and non-sectarian say the former Mounties.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 4, 1994
