Queenstown, New Zealand (February 02, 2013): According to a news report by 3News (New Zealand) a Sikh Member of Parliament has appealed for cultural understanding after a turban incident in Queenstown.
According to reports a Sikh restaurant employee’s turban was removed by an inebriated tourist and police are handling the case.
According to the News reprot MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi said that all cultures, religions and ethnic groups have unique practices and protocols.
The MP, who isn’t seen without his turban, says that for a Sikh it isn’t just a piece of cloth.
“Rather, it becomes the person’s head. For a Sikh the turban represents sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety – it is a sacred symbol.”
Mr Bakshi reportedly opined that “isolated incidents” like the one in Queenstown didn’t represent the views of most New Zealanders.