Petition to Jeb Bush to Stop the Forcible Cutting of a Sikh's Hair

[JCMach1]

Link to the Petitio: http://www.sikhcoalition.org/petition_florida.asp


Dear Governor Bush:

We are writing to you because we are concerned that a Sikh prisoner may soon have to submit to procedures in the Florida state prison system that will result in the forcible cutting of his hair and removal of his turban, the gravest violations of Sikh faith and praxis. The prisoner, Satnam Singh, is scheduled to be transferred from the Federal Bureau of Prisons system to a Florida state prison after April 9, 2006.

Since time is of the essence, we request your immediate attention to this matter so that Mr. Singh’s religious faith is not violated and the prison system’s conduct does not violate Mr. Singh’s most significant religious beliefs. Any cutting of Mr. Singh’s hair or removal of his turban will likely cause great anguish within the 25 million members of the Sikh community worldwide and 500,000 Sikhs in the United States.

As you may be aware, maintaining unshorn hair (including facial hair) and wearing a turban are central tenets of the Sikh faith. Sikhs wear an external uniform to unify and bind themselves to the beliefs of their religion and to remind themselves of their commitment to Sikh teachings at all times. Unlike some faiths where only the clergy are in uniform, all Sikhs are required to wear external articles of faith, such as uncut hair (kesh) and a turban (dastār) to cover their hair. These articles of faith have deep spiritual significance.

Maintaining uncut hair and wearing a turban are an especially important part of the Sikh way of life. The Sikh Code of Conduct, called the Rahit Maryādā, outlines the requirements for practicing the Sikh way of life. All Sikhs must follow the guidelines set forth in this document. The Rahit Maryādā explicitly instructs that if you are a Sikh, you must “have, on your person, all the time…the keshas (unshorn hair).” It also states that “or a Sikh, there is no restriction or requirement as to dress except that he must wear… turban.” This document prohibits the removal of hair from the body as one of four major taboos; the other taboos on this list include adultery. The fact that cutting one’s hair is a moral transgression just as serious as committing adultery speaks to the immense significance of uncut hair in Sikhism...

We would like to request that you ensure that Satnam Singh does not suffer the utter humiliation of having his hair forcibly cut. It would be grave blow to religious faith and practice in the United States. Having one’s hair forcibly cut is worse than death for a Sikh. We ask that you direct the Department of Corrections to review this matter immediately and revise its policy so Mr. Singh’s hair is not cut.

We thank you for your immediate consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

The Sikh Coalition, undersigned co-sponsors and concerned citizens worldwide
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/petition_florida.asp

[MADem]

1. Anyone know why this guy is doing time?

Singh was convicted in the federal court and Florida state court for a non-violent offence. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment in Florida and a three-year federal sentence. As a result of his good behaviour, his federal sentence has been reduced to 216 days.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200604031510.htm

This is all I've found, thus far.

[JCMach1]

2. Very good point...

[tocqueville]

3. if this is read in India, they might rethink the "nukular" deal.... nt

[JCMach1]

4. kick for morning

[noonwitch]

5. They're going to cut his hair anyways

Unless the ACLU intervenes and can get a court injunction. Everyone in Florida prisons has their hair buzz-cut every so often.