Richard Floyd Assemblyman the State Assembly P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento CA 94249-0001
Honorable Assemblyman Floyd the California Sikh community 1S Very disappointed and disturbed following publication of the enclosed article in the front page of San Jose Mercury.
Your office was attributed the following quote: As soon as you exempt them’ said Bob Terry legislative assistant to Floyd you’re going to have the Hells Angels joining up with that religion (Sikhism) fast if you know what I mean. Shoot they’ll start a whole new chapter.
We are really quite appalled at the lack of sensitivity understanding and appreciation for the religious beliefs of our community. It is indeed extremely irresponsible to draw parallels between Sikhism a 500 year old established religion with millions of members throughout the world with group like Hells Angels.
Our information indicates that Sikhs are exempt from such Helmet laws in England Canada and India. They are also exempt from such helmet laws in various parts of the United States in the construction and other industries. We have served the United States military without having to remove our turbans.
Our turbans have been respectfully worn for over 500 years long before the motorcycle was invented.
We have not had any Hells Angels or other such groups join our religion. In fact our turbans have saved many of serious injuries because the turban is worn Not Just Sometimes But all the time.
While we can appreciate the wearing of a turban may be something new from your perspective we would like to point out that the world we live in is becoming much smaller requiring much greater cooperation and interdependence with each other
If we are to be successful in achieving a true understanding and cooperation between people of different cultures and religions it would be an absolute necessity to accept understand and appreciate the individual beliefs and practices of our diverse community. Perhaps our elected officials by virtue of their more prominent positions hold a greater responsibility in promulgating this belief and attitude
We would hope that your office would view this letter as constructive and educational which is the way it is intended. I feel and apology or retraction to the California Sikh community would be appropriate and most appreciated by your community whose feeling have been deeply hurt. Mohinder S. Mann Esq. San Jose
Article extracted from this publication >> June 14, 1991
