Young Sikhs Discard Turban, Elders Worried

Amritsar, India - India's Sikh spiritual leaders are unhappy their young men are discarding their Kesh or long hair, one of the five articles of faith, in the name of fashion.

A Sikh is forbidden from cutting his Kesh, kept tied under a Pugree or long turban that gives the Sikh their special identity. Other requirements are Kuch specially designed underwear), Kara (an Iron bangle), Kanga (a wooden comb to keep the Kesh in a knot) and Kirpan or a sword.

However, in keeping with today's lifestyle, young Sikhs who are part of their 18 million population in India, are cutting their hair and discarding the turbans.

In Sikhism's holiest city of Amritsar, an 18-year-old told the International Herald Tribune he found the turban a bother as it got in the way during judo classes.

"In the end," he said, "it was a question of fashion. I felt smarter without it."

Additionally, since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, some Sikhs have complained of being confused with members of the Taliban at airport security.

Jaswinder Singh, a lawyer who heads the "turban pride" movement, estimated that half of India's Sikh men have given up the Pugree. All Sikh men carry the "Singh" (or lion to denote their martial tradition) surname.

"We are going to have to battle hard to turn back the tide. Otherwise another 20 years will pass and India won't have any more Sikhs in turbans."