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Recent reports show that FIBA has caused some discrimination to the policy which requires no one to wear a turban while playing. Well we think this is discrimination and to be frank many basketball players wear so called ‘rags’ while playing so why can’t players wear Turbans during the game? The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) is being accused of discrimination owing to its ‘headgear policy’ which requires Sikh players to remove their turbans while playing. Since turbans are an indispensable article of Sikh faith, the forcible removal of two Indian players’ turbans during their match against China has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of India’s own turban man, Daler Mehndi.
On the 12th of July, officials of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) forced Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh to remove their patkas (modified turbans), stating that the patkas violated FIBA’s ‘headgear policy’. The policy states that
“Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players.”
The global Sikh community has gained extensive support in their outrage over a piece of cloth binding their hair being considered capable of causing injury to other players.
Globally renowned Indian Punjabi musician Daler Mehndi, who like most Sikh men considers his turban a part of his identity, has signed a petition demanding that this policy must be changed. The Indian King of Pop made a video to raise awareness about the issue and to have the offensive policy changed.
“A Sikh’s turban is his honour. It has never harmed anyone. So I request everybody… to sign the petition at change.org so that we can have our honour back,” says Daler Mehndi in his video.
Other Indian personalities who have participated in the campaign against this discriminative policy include Sikh sportsmen Bishan Singh Bedi, Milkha Singh and his grandson Jeev Milkha Singh. Among the prominent international names that have supported the cause are US Congressmen Ami Bera and Joe Crowley, who wrote to Mr. Yvan Mainini, (President of FIBA) demanding that the discriminative policy should be changed.
The online petition at http://change.org/LetSikhsPlay started by Delhi-based businessman Ravinder Pal Singh Kohli has become a global phenomenon. It has made the FIBA commit to resolving the issue at their 23rd Annual Congress in Seville, Spain. Although the discussion has been put off, Daler Mehndi’s support for the cause has put FIBA in a tight spot.
Please support and sign the petition today and spread the word about the issue which is hurting many!
