Chennai Metro orders Sikh man to remove dastar (turban)

Chennai, India: Reports have surfaced regarding security officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited who allegedly ordered a Sikh man to remove his dastar (turban) inside the metro on Tuesday 1 September 2015.

Tandeep Singh, a resident of Chennai, decided to take his first ride on the metro when he was allegedly asked to remove his dastar (turban) at the Vadapalani station. Despite telling the officials that removing the dastar went against his faith and he cannot be asked to do it, the guards said that those were the instructions given to them.

“This is not the first time something like this has happened to me, unfortunately. Let me tell you I’ve traveled in and around USA as well and I’ve never been asked to take my turban off. However this ridiculous request is made only in India. I’m shocked and appalled by this. I thought Chennai has actually changed and finally we are moving on as a city and be more accepting of different cultures and races.”

“I had to be quite stern with him. I asked him to get the supervisor. Then he relented and let me go,” he added on the post.

Singh expressed his concern over such incidents stating “I don’t blame the security guy for this instance, it is nothing but pure ignorance. CMRL (Chennai Metro Rail Limited) you are at fault here, you need to educate your staff more about such issues. I was in two minds to throw a raging fit there and make a scene. I refrained from doing so, because that is what my culture, my faith teaches me to do. To be patient and understanding with the ignorant.”

“This issue must be looked into right away. It is bad enough Chennai as a city has such an unfriendly reputation from most of India. It’s time to be more welcoming and accepting,” he added.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited are understood to have contacted and apologised to Singh, after the incident came to light. An official said that they were sorry for the incident and would look into the issue. However the official response to Tandeep Singh is unknown.