WICTORIA (CP): Decorated war “veteran Pritam Singh Jauhal wasn’t “welcome in his local Legion hall, ‘but he and his comrades in arms were welcome to meet the Queen.
‘The orthodox Sikh men, barred last winter from entering a Legion hall in suburban Vancouver for _wearing turbans, chatted with the Queen for several minutes at & downtown park during the latest stop on the royal visit.
Feel honored and proud,” said Jauhal, who told the Queen of his efforts in the Second World War. “Right now the insults I suffered “In the past: are forgotten, I’m just so happy.” The Newton Legion halt in our rye refused last fall to allow Jauhal and the other Sikhs to enter because of a bylaw requiring ‘members to remove hats and other read gear, ‘out of respect for the Queen and warded. The incident ‘made national news headlines.
: The bylaw was overwhelmingly “endorsed by delegates attending the Legion’s national convention “in May, though individual branches have the authority to “waive the bylaw if they wish.”
Critics have said enforcing the bylaw against Sikhs who must $wear turbans at all times as part of their religious practice is racist. Organizers of the royal visit were uncertain whether the Queen, who was aware of the controversy, would stop to meet the Sikh soldiers at a public reception al Calorie’s downtown Beacon Hill But she and Prince Phillip didn’t hesitate after spotting the voter Ans, gleaming with military medals, during their walkabout among thousands of fans.
“1 wore my best turban,” joked Harbhajan Minhas, 69yearold Royal Indian Air Force bomber who dropped medical supplies to Allied troops in the Second World War. “She was very gracious and interested in my war record,” Minhas said. ‘The Vulcans gave the Queen a Sikh medallion during the celebration on a brilliantly sunny day the Royal Couple’s last in Victoria, where the Queen officially opened the 15th Commonwealth Games.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 9, 1994
