India raises turban issue with France

India has "sensitised" the French government on the Sikh community's concerns over a proposed legislation banning all religious symbols, including turbans, in public schools in that country, an external affairs ministry official said in New Delhi [ Images ] on Thursday.

The Sikh community in France [ Images ] has also taken up the matter with the French government, which has expressed "some understanding for these concerns at a high level", he said.

The issue may crop up during Friday's talks in New Delhi between External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha [ Images ] and his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin.

Various Sikh organisations have launched a signature campaign to protest against the move.

A delegation of various Sikh dignitaries led by Vikramjit Singh Sahney, international president, World Punjabi Organisation on Wednesday evening met French Ambassador Dominique Girard and submitted a memorandum signed by 100,000 Sikhs.

Villepin, who is on a two-day visit, will call on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee [ Images ] on Friday evening.