Sikhs in Delhi protest against new US security law

Hundreds of Sikhs took out a march on Wednesday in the national capital protesting against the United States new airport security measures, which entails scanning of their turban.

New Delhi, Aug 29 : Hundreds of Sikhs took out a march on Wednesday in the national capital protesting against the United State's new airport security measures, which entails scanning of their turban.

The Sikh community is angered over the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's new law, which makes it mandatory to subject turbans, a religious symbol of the Sikhs, for manual checks at American airports.

"We want to tell that this law is baseless and an attack on Sikh community. We will not tolerate this and will oppose any such law," said Paramjeet Singh Pamma, President of National Akali Dal, a regional political outfit of the Sikhs.

The protesters, both men and women, carrying placards shouted anti-American slogans and later gave a memorandum addressed to President George W. Bush to the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, requesting a review of the law.

They also requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, himself a Sikh, to take up the matter with Washington.

Several Sikhs, who wear turbans and have beards, have been attacked in the United States after the 9/11 attack on World Trade Centre, apparently mistaken for Afghans, and possible supporters of Saudi-born militant Osama binaden.

Sikhs make up about two percent of India's one billion-plus population, and about 500,000 Sikh followers are based in different parts of America.

ANI