India takes up turban issue with France, EU

Amid concerns over ban against wearing turban in many European countries, including France, India today said it was pursuing the matter with the European Union (EU) and was looking forward to a mutually acceptable solution even as France maintained that its ban was not "discriminatory".

Asserting that turban for Sikhs was a "symbol of dignity", External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, who held comprehensive talks with his French counterpart Alain Juppe here, said, "It is a sensitive issue" and the matter was discussed with the French minister. He said efforts are on to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Krishna said he has also written to the Italian Foreign Minister regarding the problems faced by Sikhs due to the ban.

"We are also pursuing this matter with EU and we look forward to mutually acceptable resolution to this sensitive issue," Krishna said at a joint media interaction with Juppe. Maintaining that France is a secular country and believes that religion signs should not be displayed in open in daily life, Juppe said till now no difficulty has been faced in its implementation.

"There is no discrimination against any community," he said, adding that he has suggested to Indian minister to have a dialogue with French Interim Minister on the issue.