Charanpreet Singh Lall was part of the Queen's birthday festivities in London this weekend as part of his duties in the British Army. While one of about a thousand soldiers, the 22-year-old Coldstream Guards soldier stood out during the Trooping the Colour ceremony because of his headwear: a turban. The India-born Sikh became the first guardsman to wear a turban during the parade. His fellow soldiers sported furry bearskin hats. please log in to view this image I don't get this one. Military uniform is there so that everyone is the same and it is in part to stop discrimination as everyone looks the same and is required to keep the uniform to a required standard. It has nothing to do with religion. Now the bearskin hats cover the hair completely so why was this person looking to be different? I don't know a lot about Shiks so I'd be happy for someone to put me right on this one but at this point I don't get it and feel that he should have worn the same uniform as everyone else, he's already allowed to grow a beard which I get but the hat thing doesn't sit right with me.
I see your point mate. I guess it's down to respecting his faith. Let's face it if the guy is happy to fight for us and his colleagues are ok with it, who cares.
If they were wearing berets then I get it as it would not cover long hair (this is why Shiks are allowed turbans in the first place) but the bearskin hat does so it doesn't matter and I don't want to condemn this guy as I don't know enough and can't find any reason for it online but it looks very much like someone trying to stand out in a situation where uniformity is part of a collective that brings a group together.
Lots of quotes from him saying how he hopes it influences others to join the army etc but no explanation for why he wanted to do it and nobody is challenging it or offering a different point of view. I'm all for different religions and backgrounds joining the forces but you have to be part of a collective, yes there will be allowances for religious beliefs and rightly so but I really can't get my head around this one.
I support him wearing his Turban tbh. I get the argument about everybody looking the same and the bearskin covering his hair. But I think this image is more inclusive in a way, because it overtly shows that the British Army is diverse and inclusive.
Which is why he is allowed to wear a turban other than a beret in normal dress and allowed to grow a beard. Inclusive is one thing pandering to every request is not what military service is about you are part of a group and everyone is equal.
Let the brother wear his turban. People been wearing turbans for time in the forces anyway. He won't be wearing that **** if there's lead flying at him, he be Kevlar'd up and not giving a **** about his religion.
Yeah, but the parade is just that. It's a chance to show the forces off, so I think the inclusive angle is probably better for them tbh. Like Tel says, when that nigga is on the front line, he's going to be just as equal as everybody else wearing the same kit and dodging the same bullets.
Not for me, I can't see a genuine reason for it other than someone who is part of a collective wanting to be an individual. Shouldn't have been allowed imo at this point.
Under the turban his hair will be tied in a ball/knot. The turban is a tight structure, I imagine a big hat won't hold the hair as securely...I could be wrong. Plus the turban is part of his faith not just the ball of hair under it. So removing the turban would kind of nullify his beliefs for him. Maybe he could have a tight man bun under the hat without any problems...it's quite possible I suppose.
It might simply be that it just doesn't work without the turban but they didn't really explain why and I found it strange but hell I don't really care I was just interested and was edging towards it shouldn't be allowed unless there is a good reason.
Sikhs in the British army have been able to replace the standard headgear with their turbans since WW1, this is nothing new. It just got publicity due to the fact this fella happened to be in the Coldstream guards.
I know that they don't wear berets or other standard headwear the bearskin would seem to be ok to me but who knows?
Yeah you're right, could quite simply be that it doesn't work practically without a turban supporting it.
Found this, it explains the thinking a bit more and it is a religious thing. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...r-a-turban-instead-of-a-bearskin-8374240.html I still don't agee with it though, the bearskin covers his hair and it suggests a turban could be worn under the bearskin. The uniform is for everyone regardless or race or religion and where possible everyone should be dressed the same.
