March 31, 2023

The Brave Battle for Turban Rights | Tarsem Singh Sandhu

55 minutes

Tarsem Singh Sandhu is a notable figure in the Sikh community for his advocacy for the right to wear the turban while working as a bus driver in Wolverhampton, England in the 1960s. He was one of the first Sikh bus drivers in the country to wear a turban and grow his beard and as a result faced discrimination, including a two year suspension by the Wolverhampton Transport Committee. Despite facing opposition, Sandhu stood firm in his beliefs and refused to remove his turban, becoming a symbol of strength and resilience for the Sikh community. His actions paved the way for greater religious freedom in the workplace, ensured a conversation in the House of Lords and forced a change in UK law.

00:00 - Introduction
00:30 - Quick summary
01:26 - When did you come to the UK and what was the reason for it?
03:55 - What was the UK like?
06:04 - Can you describe the events that took place between your arrival in the UK and becoming a bus driver?
12:20 - Why did you decide to drive a bus if things were going well?
17:40 - Newspapers at the time reported that you were clean-shaven when you started your job. Is this true and what was the reason for it?
18:37 - What occurred on the first day you went to work wearing a turban?
20:34 - How old are you at this point?
20:49 - What occurred during the two-year suspension period?
21:56 - Why did you choose to move elsewhere after the two years had passed?
26:28 - What was the "mad-hatters" counter protest?
28:27 - What did other workers think of the agitation and how did that lead into creating the fake Indo-Pak Workers Association?
29:23 - Mr Sohan Singh Jolly's declaration of self-immolation
34:46 - Before Sohan Singh made the announcement, did you know?
37:11 - Once Mr Sohan Singh Jolly declares to self-immolate if the turban ban isn't lifted, what happens?
37:59 - Did you know of anyone who started to wear a turban because of the change you had enforced?
38:34 - What has happened since the 1970s?
43:30 - What do you do today?
44:39 - What was Enoch Powell actually like?
45:41 - How Enoch Powell helped two of Tarsem Singh Sandhu's cousins
47:33 - Slight interruption...
49:27 - Have you seen this Daily Mirror cartoon making light of the situation?
51:01 - Conclusion
51:26 - Wrapping up