LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s announcement during a Christmas event to exempt the Sikh community from the helmet law for motorcyclists has yet to be notified, but has led to a halt to fining turban-wearing Sikh motorcyclists.
Sardar Parmjit Singh, who lives in Lahore, depends on his motorbike for daily journeys to and from work. However, he has received traffic fines several times for not wearing a helmet. Explaining his position, he says that the turban is the “crown” of a Sikh and that it is religiously impossible to wear a helmet over it. “This is not a matter of convenience,” he emphasizes.
While acknowledging that helmets provide protection in road accidents, Parmjit Singh argues that for the Sikh community, faith and protection are inseparable concepts.
The helmet requirement has long presented challenges for Sikh motorcyclists.
Former chairman of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Bishan Singh, says the issue was consistently raised with the authorities. He led Sikh community delegations in meetings with the Lahore Chief Traffic Officer, submitted written requests and explained the religious point of view in detail.
According to Sardar Bishan Singh, traffic police officials have clarified that wardens have been instructed not to fine Sikh riders wearing g turbans. However, Punjab Safe City Authority cameras are unable to distinguish religious identity, which may result in automated online fines.
To address this, Sikh riders have been given an opportunity to visit the traffic police offices to get such challenges cancelled.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had announced exemption for the Sikh community from the helmet requirement during the Christmas event. Although a notification has yet to be issued, her directives have led to a temporary halt to fines for turban-wearing Sikh motorcyclists.
