Sikh women get exemption from wearing helmet in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, October 12: The Central government on Thursday has sent an advisory to the Chandigarh Administration to follow the notification issued by the Delhi Government giving exemption to Sikh women from wearing protective headgear (helmet) while riding two-wheelers in the city.

 

This decision came into light when the Sikh bodies mentioned, "A Sikh- man or woman cannot wear any kind of hat as it prohibited strictly in the code of conduct for the Sikhs. So, in this regard, no sikh woman can wear helmets."

The Department of Transport, Delhi Government, vide its notification issued on June 4, 1999, carried out the amendment in Rule 115 of the Delhi Motor Vehicle Act, 1993, making it optional for women “whether riding on pillion or riding a two-wheeler to wear a protective headgear”.

 

The Rule was further amended, through a notification issued on August 28, 2014, as “in the Delhi Motor Vehicle Rule 1993, in Sub-Rule 115 for the word “women” the word “Sikh women” shall be submitted.

 

On April 21 this year, following Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) directions, the UT administration had proposed that all women, except for turbaned Sikhs, wear helmets. Asking for an amendment in Rule 193 of the Chandigarh Motor Vehicle Rules, 1990, the UT had invited objections and suggestions from the public.

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, mandates headgear for everyone riding two-wheelers but permits state governments to make relaxations in some categories. It was under this rule that the UT had earlier exempted all women from wearing helmets whereas Punjab and Haryana have excluded only Sikh women.