LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s announcement at a Christmas event to exempt the Sikh community from the helmet law for motorcyclists has not yet been notified, but has led to a halt to fines for turban-wearing Sikh motorcyclists.
Sardar Parmjit Singh, a resident of Lahore, relies on his motorbike to get to and from work every day. However, he was repeatedly fined for not wearing a helmet. Explaining his position, he asserts that the turban is the “crown” of a Sikh and that wearing a helmet over it is religiously forbidden. “It’s not a question of convenience,” he emphasizes.
While acknowledging that helmets provide protection in the event of road accidents, Parmjit Singh maintains that for the Sikh community, faith and protection are inseparable concepts.
The helmet requirement has long posed challenges for Sikh motorcyclists.
Former president of the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee of Pakistan, Sardar Bishan Singh, says the issue has been constantly raised with the authorities. He led delegations from the Sikh community in meetings with the Traffic Chief of Lahore, submitted written demands and explained the religious view in detail.
According to Sardar Bishan Singh, traffic police officials clarified that guards have been instructed not to impose fines on Sikh riders wearing turbans. However, the Punjab Safe City Authority’s cameras are unable to distinguish religious identity, which can lead to automated fines online.
To resolve this issue, Sikh riders were given the option to visit traffic police offices to get these challans cancelled.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had announced an exemption for the Sikh community from the requirement to wear helmets during the Christmas event. Although no notification has been issued yet, his directives led to a temporary halt to fines imposed on Sikh motorcyclists wearing turbans.
