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Sikh motorcyclist challenges turban ban in Canada
Toronto News.Net
Saturday 16th February, 2008 (IANS)
A Toronto area Sikh, who was fined for driving a motorcycle without a helmet, has taken his battle to court for his right to wear a turban.
Baljinder Badesha, who owns a motorcycle dealership in the Toronto suburb of Brampton, was charged for the offence in Sept 2005 and fined $110. He has not driven a motorcycle even as part of test-driving at his dealership since then.
In moving the court, he says he wants to not only protect his religious right to wear the turban but also get the fine overturned.
Badesha, who appeared in court Friday, said the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms allowed him to practice his Sikh religion. He said he knew that driving a motorcycle without a helmet on highways was a dangerous thing. But he was willing take that risk for his faith, he said.
The 39-year-old Sikh is being supported by the Ontario Human Rights Commission in his legal battle. Speaking for Badesha, Scott Hutchison of the Ontario Human Rights Commission said that denying him the religious right to wear the turban amounted to infringing on 'his human dignity'.
He said Badesha cannot be forced to make a choice between his religion and participating in the normal life.
Scott added: 'Roads and riding a motorcycle are something that is available to everybody in Ontario provided they wear a helmet. But that condition makes it impossible for Mr. Bedesha and everybody of the Sikh religion. That amounts to discrimination.'
However, Sikhs are allowed to wear a turban instead of a helmet while driving in the provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba.
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Comments on this story
blue
02-16-08, 05:09 AM |
Sikh motorcyclist challenges turban ban in Canada
Is he also willing to pay for all his medical needs should he have an accident instead of relying on our tax paid OHIP? And if he has family to support, has he made sure they won’t become a burden to taxpayers should his CHOICES result in their being left without him? If so, then I say let him wear his turban. But I WILL NOT finacially support his decision.
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d-bo
02-16-08, 07:34 AM |
Response to Blue
A compelling story, no doubt you either drink, smoke, eat too much, dont take enough excercise etc etc.. how do i stop you from going to the hospital and rick being a burden to ME becuse of your lifestyle. without mentioning the hundreds of thousands of people that cant be bothered to get off their backsides and get a job, how do i stop them getting benefits
An idiotic response in your blue centric world
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Mike(just another Canadian)
02-16-08, 09:13 AM |
Sikh motorcyclist challenges turban ban in Canada
Last time I checked this is still Canada,we still have laws.Baljinder Badesha comes from a country that has laws also,he knows that a Canadian wont get special treatment in his country why should he get it here.
Enough with calling it discrimination, its Canada’s law live with it like the rest of CANADIANS!
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medic canadian
02-16-08, 10:47 AM |
to the vegatable garden
every one is sick of this human rights crap.These people come to this country and are trying to change it to their country rules if they want to do their way why dont they hop a plane and go home or be a canadian isnt that why they came here.We canadians have to follow the rules and so should they.They stood up and took the citizen ship.If they are now canadians then keep your religion out of the rules.The goverment officials need to stop caving in and take a stand, A CANADIAN
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Crow
02-16-08, 03:47 PM |
Turban on a motorcycle
I say let the man wear his turban but ensure that he signs a waiver to medical coverage and any claim that a motorist caused him harm to his head should he be involved in any accident. I don’d see where taxpayers should ante up for his medical costs when some surgeon has to pick the scull fragments out of his brain because he did not wear a helmet. I also suggest the helmet could be covered by a Turban covering??? This discrimination cop out is finished. Where is discrimination intended when it is to save his life?
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Crow
02-16-08, 03:51 PM |
Turban on a motorcycle
I say let the man wear his turban but ensure that he signs a waiver to medical coverage and any claim that a motorist caused him harm to his head should he be involved in any accident. I don’d see where taxpayers should ante up for his medical costs when some surgeon has to pick the scull fragments out of his brain because he did not wear a helmet. I also suggest the helmet could be covered by a Turban covering??? This discrimination cop out is finished. Where is discrimination intended when it is to save his life?
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Crow
02-16-08, 03:54 PM |
Turban on a motorcycle
I say let the man wear his turban but ensure that he signs a waiver to medical coverage and any claim that a motorist caused him harm to his head should he be involved in any accident. I don’d see where taxpayers should ante up for his medical costs when some surgeon has to pick the scull fragments out of his brain because he did not wear a helmet. I also suggest the helmet could be covered by a Turban covering??? This discrimination cop out is finished. Where is discrimination intended when it is to save his life?
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Anonymous
02-16-08, 06:56 PM |
Turban on a motorcycle
Riding a motorcycle is not a right but a privilege. The laws are made to protect all canadians and there should be no exceptions. Wear the Turban over the helmet.....
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