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Sikh American New York City Subway Train Operator Re-instated with Turban

SMART Encourages Passage of Pending Federal 'Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA)'

Release by The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force

Washington, DC – 6/10/2004 - The New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) yesterday re-instated a Sikh American subway operator after re-assigning him last week for violating its “no hats” policy by wearing his religiously mandated turban. Sathari Singh contacted the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights organization, last week and worked with its legal advisor and union representative to resolve the issue.

“Millions of people have seen me with my turban for over 20 years on the train,” said Singh, whose legal name is still Kevin Harrington. “I am so thankful to the union for standing by me and to SMART for defending my civil rights. This is a good start, but we have a long way to go.”

The MTA policy currently permits only a regulation MTA cap for headgear, and although Singh had worn a turban since being hired as cleaner 23 years, he was re-assigned to moving trains at the yard last week. Singh said that several top transit officials have seen him with his turban while on the job and that he was featured in an MTA newsletter while safely evacuating hundreds of riders on 9/11. An MTA spokesperson also said the agency is considering revising the dress code to accommodate workers wear religiously-mandated head-coverings.

“While working on this case, we learned that the MTA made exceptions for baseball caps during the World Series between the Yankees and the Mets in 2000 and for some other religious head-coverings,” stated Manjit Singh, SMART’s President. “In order to prevent selective enforcement of these policies around the country, we strongly urge Congress to pass the Workplace Religious Freedom Act ensuring that people of all faiths are treated fairly in the American workplace.”

Sikh Americans have faced similar problems in New York City like Jasjit Singh Jaggi, who was fired from his position as an NYPD traffic enforcement agent for his long beard and turban. An administrative judge recently ruled in his favor. Furthermore, Amric Singh Rathour was dismissed from his job as a NYPD traffic enforcement officer in August 2001 after graduating from the Police Academy. Rathour refused to shave his beard and stop wearing his religiously-mandated turban. His case is currently pending.

Other Readings of Interest

• EEO Corner: Religious & National Origins Discrimination
  By Paul Igasaki, Featured EEO Columnist
  Q&A on protecting American values in the workplace in the wake of the WTC and Pentagon attacks of 2001
• Exploring Culturally Specific Styles in the Workplace
  By Chandra Prasad, Special Contributor
  Even in "business casual" offices, few employers have yet dared to raise a crucial question: What about ethnic and religious styles?
• What to Do About Discrimination - Pocket Guide
  By Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force