Sikh Leaders Fear Turbanless Style

Sikh leaders are worried that the newest trend that involves cutting their hair and wearing turbans will end respectability and uniqueness that they are known for.
Since 1699 about two centuries after the founding of the Sikh religion, long hair and the wearing of a turban has represented faith. Sikh men commonly wear a peaked turban to cover their long uncut hair. Their hair should never be cut out of respect for God's creation.

Jaswinder Singh lawyer and leader, estimates that one half of India's Sikh men have given up the wearing of the turban or the (pugree). Singh also says that he believes that this decline started in the mid 90's after India liberalized it's economy. More and more people began traveling world-wide and working for bigger houses and newer cars. Working mothers became so busy that they had little time to instruct their young sons in mastering the skills that wrapping their turban entailed. Singh also explains about the common name of Singh in the Sikh religion with, "All Sikhmen carry the "Singh" which means lion, to denote their Martial Art sur-name."

After 1984 when Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi was assasinated by a Sikh guard, some Sikhs made a choice to stop wearing their turban in self defense. At the time thousands of Sikhs were slaughtered through-out India. There has also been many claims that after 9-11-2001, Sikhs have been accused of being members of the Taliban and have been discriminated against because of their turban wearing. Mr. Singh also claims that if the current trend continues that in 20 years there will be no turban wearing Sikhs left anywhere.

The turban is claimed to represent respectability and wearing it signifys nobility. It also represents high morality and serves to help the Sikh stand out in a crowd. The five articles of faith are as follows. The (kesh) or long hair that must remain uncut. The (pugree) or long turban which is wounnd around the hair in a peek to hold back the long hair. Third is the (kuch) which is especially designed underwear. There is also the (kara) which is an iron bangle which is worn. Also is a (kanga) or a wooden comb designed to hold up the hair in a knot on top of the head. The Sikh also has a (kirpan) or a sword.

Sikhnet quotes, "The turban is our Guru's gift to us. It's how we crown ourselves as the Singhs and Kaurs who sit on the throne of commitment to our higher conciousness. For men and women alike this projective identity conveys royalty, grace and uniqueness. It is a signal to others that we live in the image of Infinity and are dedicated to serving all. The turban doesn't represent anything except complete commitment. When you choose to stand out by wrapping your turban you stand fearlessly as one single person who is standing out from six billion people."

Many of the Sikh who are choosing to remove their turban and cut their hair are high school and college students for whom fashion and comfort are far more important than tradition. Their are many current role model's for the Sikh youth in the wearing of the turban.There is Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and also Lt. General Joginder Jawant Singh who is Army Chief of Staff. For the fashion concious youth their is a much more recognized hero and that is Punjabi Pop-Star, Pammi Bai. His canary yellow turban is jauntily perched at an angle as he sings about the glories of wearing the turban. His albums have thus far sold more than 100,000. All baptised Sikhs are commanded to wear their turban. A religious Sikh is also ordered not to shave his beard.