Sikhs to protest in Parliament Square.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.independen...ect-demo-2360749.html

Should the Sikhs be allowed the privilege of not to having their turbans hand searched at airports?

After all every male can be asked to remove his trousers if necessary, all in the name of security.

It seems though that tolerant Britain is once again taking the initiative by putting the rest of Europe's airport security right.

/// Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers said: "I fully recognise the cultural and religious sensitivities surrounding the touching of a Sikh's turban, which is why this Government acted swiftly when the Sikh community expressed concern about new EU rules on the searching of turbans at airports. ///

/// "I have also written to ministers across Europe with responsibility for aviation security to explain this trial and to underline the importance the UK attaches to resolving this issue."///

[Carakeel]

There are materials that do not show up in scanners etc., and in todays world we need to maintain high security levels. Although I don't see being scanned a pleasurable thing, I accept fully that it is a great tool in keeping us all safe. So, I think everyone should have to go through the same procedures and nobody, including children should be exempt! Those who want to do harm will use any mothod they can to accomplish their goals! We need to be tougher and stop hiding away behind religious / cultural excuses! Always better safe than sorry!!

[naomi24]

Corbyloon, I assume that means the usual scanner - you know, the metal detector we all go through between check-in and departures. As far as I'm aware, it doesn't detect anything else - like liquids - that might be hidden beneath clothing.

[THECORBYLOON]

Ahh, I see, I've never been in a plane so I'd not thought on that. Could they not use some post of hand held x-ray device?

[THECORBYLOON]

Ah the delights of using a mobile and predictive text, I meant some sort etc

[naomi24]

Corbyloon, I imagine that's possible - at a cost that would be passed on to the travelling public. However, personally I think it's very wrong for any one section of society to demand - or even to expect - to be exempted from rules that apply to the rest.

[Prof_P]

My uncle works for airport security @ T4 Heathrow and he confirms that there are scanners that are fully capable of scanning through the turbans. SO why is there the need to remove them if the technology is already available to us?!!!! i think Naomi24 needs to ascertain the true facts before asking why more money needs to be spent on technology that is already at our airports' disposal.

[Prof_P]

And as for Ratter25: "that does not prevent them from buying a one way ticket" and "As far as im concerned, if they dont like our customs and laws, they need only pass through customs once, and that is on their way out"

Well all I can say to that is Ratter25 do you have a guest or annual membership with the EDL ?

[sandyRoe]

Couldn't an unwound turban be used as a garrotte? Should they be allowed in the cabin?

[maclarencat]

The scanners don't pick up liquids or explosives that is why they have to remove their turbans. They have to make the decision if it is more important that their turban is not touched or more important that they have the right to travel abroad. One rule for all no exception .

[Prof_P]

I'm all for everyone being subjected to the equal set of rules and that if there is sufficient evidence to remove a religious piece of clothing then there this for me is appropriate reason. However....we can not as a society work on assumptions and guesswork that that someone is a terrorist. There are terrorists and extremist factions in every single religion on this planet but we can 't label everyone with the same brush!! Is there any amongst you on this post list are that are Christian, does that mean you could be affiliated with the KKK? Absolute nonsense, designed to divide an already segregated society!!

[maclarencat]

Sandy I think that is a bit excessive. So could a belt and you could easily go to the toilet and tear a piece of fabric into a strip. So yes they should be allowed to wear them as long as they dont object to removing them for search purposes

[maclarencat]

They are not being treated any more as suspected terrorists than I am when I am asked to remove my coat and shoes to go through the scanner

[anotheoldgit]

/// Absolute nonsense, designed to divide an already segregated society!! ///

Oh, so now we know, the whole of European Airports have implemented this new EU rule simply to divide and separate us.

What a load of rubbish, I have heard it all now.

The Sikhs would be better employed protesting in Trafalgar Square, to remove us from the shackles of The European Union.

[emmie]

If you want to be treated fairly, then all should be subject to the same scanning process. Personally i think it's a load of horse manure, seeing how you can shove explosives in a very personal place, and no one would be any the wiser until you were airborne, then goodnight vienna, or whichever place takes your fancy

[naomi24]

Prof _P, //I'm all for everyone being subjected to the equal set of rules and that if there is sufficient evidence to remove a religious piece of clothing then there this for me is appropriate reason.//

What 'evidence' would you consider sufficient? A muffled ticking sound perhaps?

You contradict yourself. Firstly you're clearly not for everyone being subjected to an equal set of rules because you want special scanners used for certain sections of society. Secondly, you say if there is sufficient evidence to remove a piece of religious clothing, then that's an appropriate reason. Are you quite sure you know what you mean?

//Absolute nonsense, designed to divide an already segregated society!!//

Religion is the greatest divide in an already segregated society - as is very clearly evidenced in this case. Absolute nonsense indeed!

[naomi24]

//Religion is the greatest divide in an already segregated society - as is very clearly evidenced in this case. Absolute nonsense indeed!//

Actually, I'll rephrase that. Religion is the greatest divide in an already divided society. The segregation that these people demand is self-inflicted.

[craft1948]

I've been body searched and I aren't even a Sikh................

[RATTER15]

Craft, was that because you insisted on it :) xx

[craft1948]

:-)

[joeluke]

It should be a case of 'take off the turban so that we can verify it security wise or don't fly'