Seeking to address the allegations regarding the “so-called restrictions’’ imposed on the wearing of the Sikh turban, France on Tuesday clarified that there was no ban on Sikhs wearing turbans in public places.

Seeking to address the allegations regarding the “so-called restrictions’’ imposed on the wearing of the Sikh turban, France on Tuesday clarified that there was no ban on Sikhs wearing turbans in public places.

The ban, said the French embassy in New Delhi, was only on burqa “for obvious security reasons”.

In a clarification, the embassy said France upheld the freedom of religion, as well as the right not to have one, and opposed discrimination on this ground. The “ban” on turbans, it said, was applicable only in public schools. “French law in this matter is very precise: the restriction applies to the wearing of all visible religious signs, without any discrimination, and it applies only to public schools. It leaves it to the heads of public schools to take the most appropriate measures, so that it is implemented in a sensitive manner,’’ said the embassy, adding that, “There has been no particular problem in its application.’’

