Villepin says Sikh sentiments will be respected

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin on Friday assured a delegation of Sikhs that their religious sentiments will be respected by the French government.

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France has banned children from wearing any religious symbol in public schools, and it includes head scarves, an integral part of a Sikh's dress.
 
"The Sikh community is respected in France and we know the sacrifices they made during the World War I. However, we are exploring a way out, keeping into account the specifics of Sikh religion," the minister said after meeting the delegation.

"The French government is trying to explore how the principle of tolerance of religion and the principle of neutrality in schools can be balanced," he told the delegation comprising Union Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister Sukhdev Dhindsa, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Tarlochan Singh and S Brar, General Secretary, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee.

"The French ambassador here and the education ministry in France have been having dialogue with Sikh delegations and we are sure that a solution can be reached," he added.

As the delegation was meeting  the French minister, Rashtriya Sikh Sangat and National Akali Dal activists carried placards outside the meeting venue and raised slogans.