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Delhi prepares to make helmet compulsory for women; Sikh body raises objections

April 20, 2014 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

New Delhi, India (April 20, 2014): It is learnt that a proposal by the Delhi transport department to make it compulsory for women to wear helmets while sitting on a two wheeler in the Indian capital territory. The proposal has courted controversy after being opposed by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), which has urged the concerned authorities to keep the religious sentiments of people in mind before taking any haste decision.

According to media reports Delhi’s Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung has already given a green signal to the proposal that makes it compulsory for women to wear a helmet while riding on a two-wheeler.

Since the Model Code of Conduct is in place in the capital, a go-ahead from the Election Commission has been sought by the Delhi transport department to take into account the recommendations and grievances of the common public in this regard.

After getting permission from the Election Commission, the opinion of the common public in this matter would be duly mulled over upon.

Necessary amendments would be then made in the Delhi Motor Vehicle Act to make it obligatory for every woman to put on helmet while driving or sitting on a two-wheeler.

According to the Central Motor Vehicle Act, all the two-wheeler riders and pillions are obliged to put on helmets while driving. Only Sikhs with uncut hairs do not come under this rule.

Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGPC) president Manjit Singh GK has written a letter to Jung, urging him to allow Sikh women to drive or sit on a two-wheeler without the obligation of wearing a helmet.

In his letter to Jung, Manit Singh GK also referred to amendments made by Sahib Singh Verma-led government in the Delhi Motor Vehicle Act in 1993 which exempted Sikh women with uncut hair from wearing helmet on two wheeler/s.

The DSGPC president also urged Delhi L-G to allow only elected representatives of the public to make any kind of amendments in this act. He added the basic principles of the Sikh religion does not approve of any kind of cap.

Several Baptist Sikh women wear ‘dumaalas’ (religious turban) on their heads and their heads have to be covered everytime, therefore it is not possible for them to put on helmets, Manjit Singh GK wrote in his letter.

Manjit Singh GK added that the decision to wear a helmet or not should be left on a Sikh woman’s prerogative.

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Related Topics: DSGMC, Sikhs in Delhi

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