A member of the Sikh community has said he will not take up his position in the Garda Reserve after being told by authorities that he cannot wear a turban as part of his uniform.
The Sikh man is a qualified IT professional in his 20s who recently volunteered to join the Garda Reserve. Male Sikhs are required by religion to cover their hair at all times by a turban.
The Irish Sikh Council yesterday criticised the decision and said police forces in other countries such as the UK, US, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan and India allowed members to wear turbans.
Harpreet Singh, the council's president, said he was surprised at the Garda's stance as senior officers and members of the Garda's intercultural office had never signalled Sikhs would not be allowed to wear the headgear.
"Asking Sikh community members to get rid of the turban is like asking a Sikh to remove his head. It will be a misjudgment on the part of Irish authorities to ask Sikhs to part with their turbans."
A Garda spokesman yesterday said all members were required to wear standard issue uniform when on operational duties.
"This policy is in keeping with the National Action Plan Against Racism and the organisation's commitment to following an intercultural approach."
The Minister of State with responsibility for integration, Conor Lenihan, said: "If we are to take integration seriously, people who come here must understand our way of doing things. When the President and Ministers travel to the Middle East, they accept cultural requirements of the country and the culture they are operating in. It is a vice versa situation with regard to Ireland."