Parkash Singh Badal miffed that Sikh regiment was absent from Republic Day parade, writes to PM
Punjab's Congress chief Amarinder Singh also said it was 'grave omission, particularly when the chief guest was President Francois Hollande of France, where the turban is banned in public places.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday described the absence of a Sikh regiment form the Republic Day parade as "sad and regrettable" and urged the Centre to ensure that this is not repeated in the future. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh also condemned the absence and said that it was a "grave omission, particularly when President Francois Hollande of France, where turban is banned at public places, was the chief guest". Singh said there could not have been a better occasion to convey the importance of turban to him, reported NDTV.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Badal said, "A widespread feeling of hurt and resentment has been caused by the non-inclusion of the Sikh Regiment in the Republic Day parade where French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest." He said Sikhs have made unparalleled sacrifices not only for the freedom of the country but also for defending that freedom against foreign aggression.
