August 26, 2009The Michigan Supreme Court recently approved a rule of evidence that gives courtroom judges broad authority to regulate witness attire, including religious headcoverings. The concern is that observant Sikhs would be force to remove their religiously-mandated dastaars (turbans) in Michigan courtrooms.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Re: Accommodation of Religious and Medical Headcoverings in Michigan Courtrooms
Dear Governor Granholm:
I am writing on behalf of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) to express grave concern about reports that observant Sikh Americans may now be required to remove their religiously-mandated dastaars (turbans) before entering courtrooms in Michigan.
Founded in 1996, SALDEF is the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. The Sikh religion was founded in South Asia over 500 years ago and is the fifth largest world religion, with more than 25 million followers worldwide and approximately 500,000 adherents in the United States. Observant Sikhs are distinguished by dastaars and other articles of faith and are regrettably subjected to hate crimes, workplace discrimination, and school bullying because of their actual or perceived ethnicity, religion, and national origin.
Our understanding is that the Michigan Supreme Court recently approved a rule of evidence that gives courtroom judges the authority to regulate witness attire, including religious headcoverings. Although we acknowledge the need for witnesses to be seen when they provide testimony, there is no compelling justification for any judge to force an observant Sikh to remove a dastaar in a courtroom. Indeed, dastaars are worn daily as a matter of religious obligation and do not cover or conceal the face.
In light of these developments, we hope that you will urge the Michigan legislature to enact legislation that safeguards fundamental civil rights for individuals in your state who are required by their respective faiths to wear religious headcoverings. In the meantime, we will alert our constituents in Michigan to this matter, ask them to be vigilant, and refer any complaints that we receive to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Sincerely,
Rajdeep Singh Jolly
Director of Law and Policy
There's really no compelling justification for any judge to force an observant Sikh to remove his dastaar in a courtroom. The headcoverings are worn daily as a matter of religious obligation, and don't cover or conceal the face. To read the full press release, with further related background links on the matter, visit SALDEF's website here.
