Following pressure from the Sikh community and groups, the Chandigarh administration has made changes in its warning and made it non-mandatory for Sikh females to put on defensive headgear (helmets) while driving their two-wheelers.
Changes in Rule 193 of Chandigarh Motor Vehicle Rules, 1990
The representative for the government stated that the Chandigarh management has made revision in Rule 193 of Chandigarh Motor Vehicle Rules, 1990. The modified warning eradicates the exception provided to all females from putting on the defensive headgear when driving the two-wheeler. The spokesman said that the notice substitutes the same by Sikh individual (comprising female) putting on a turban.
The MHA, in response to a representation by Sikh outfits, notified the Chandigarh management to give an opportunity to Sikh females for putting on the defensive headgear following the arrangement of Delhi administration. Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had ensured heads of the Shiromani Akali Dal that the warning making it obligatory for Sikh females to put on defensive headgear in the city of Chandigarh would be backed away.
The SAD delegation had notified the Home Minister that the notice was in contradiction of the essence of a Supreme Court ruling on the matter and also contrary to the Sikh ‘Rehat Maryada’.
The Delhi Transport Department, through a special notice forwarded on June 4, 1999, carried out a modification to Rule 115 of the Delhi Motor Vehicles Act, 1993, turning it non-compulsory for females to put on the defensive headgear. The Regulation got ameliorated further, vide a notice forwarded on August 28, 2014, in which the term “Sikh women” got appended.
Sikh outfits had lifted up the matter with the ministry
Previously, the UT verdict to remove the exception given to all females from putting on the defensive headgear while driving or riding a two-wheeler and permitting it for Sikh individuals, comprising females, putting on a turban had aroused sturdy responses from Sikh groups and political parties that lifted up the matter in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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