Chirac's assurance to PM on Sikh turban issue

New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he had taken the issue of Sikh turbans in France with President Jacques Chirac who assured him that the necessary steps would be taken to address the Sikh sentiments.

This was stated by the Prime Minister in his reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in the Rajya Sabha.

''I had raised the issue with President Chirac and he assured me that he would give it the necessary consideration'', Dr Singh said.

France had banned all religious headgears in the schools and the step had hurt the sentiments of Sikhs living there.

UNI PC RP BD1952