Many months ago California passed a law stating that all motorcycle riders must wear a helmet. Some California dailies jokingly said that Hells Angels would soon become Sikhs since turbans could not be worm with a helmet and freedom of religion would outweigh the California statute.
A Bakersfield Sikh has put the Jaw to the test. Sadhu Singh Johal has been stopped several times as he rode his moped. Each time the police gave him a warning lecture and sent him on his way. The last time he was stopped ticketed and ordered to appear in court. Finding him guilty of violating the Helmet Law the judge fined him
Johal plans an appeal on the grounds that the constitution guarantees religious freedom, He has advised the court that Canada and the U.K. have made exception for turbaned Sikhs and he hoped that those examples sway the California court.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 25, 1992
