PARIS, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- French Sikhs say they want the right to wear turbans in schools, despite French law that bans religious symbols in state schools.
Sikhs say the turban is not a threat to French values and, in fact, represents liberty, equality and fraternity, Radio France Internationale reported Monday.
"In France, the king was guillotined so that everyone could be equal. We adopted the turban so that anyone could be king," said Bikramjit Singh, a representative of the main Sikh temple in France.
Activists say wearing a turban for Sikhs is obligatory, unlike Muslim veils and Jewish yarmulkes, and they should be allowed to wear them in schools.
Kashmir Singh, another representative for the main Sikh temple in France, said the country's Sikh community is in talks with Interior Minister Manuel Valls over the issue.
