Is this a step too far in Britain's quest for multiculturalism.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2241656/Sikh-soldier-Jatinderpal-Singh-Bhullar-guard-Buckingham-Palace-bearskin.html

Please don't turn this into a racist condemnation thread.

There are some British traditions that have stood firm for hundreds of years, why should they be changed now?

Nothing wrong with him joining the Scots Guards, but regardless of his religion he must be prepared to wear the correct uniform.

[chaptazbru]

I think bearskins should be done away with anyway. Real fur shouldn't be used imo on ethical grounds and also it must be extremely hot in the summer. This man will be much cooler in his turban, and I have no problem with it whatsoever.

[jno]

good thinking, chaptazbru. Maybe they should all wear them. It would help them keep cool heads, and they could call themselves The Turbanators. That should make for quite a tourist attraction.

[chaptazbru]

Good point jno (not sure if you're being sarcastic or humorous though !!).

[daisya]

I don't agree with the bearskin head dress either due to animal welfare but I still cannot fathom why anyone would want to join something where they don't agree with wearing the uniform...why would they that fgs.

[vulcan]

The turban is worn in the RAF in the appropriate colour, so if this particular turban is black and slightly higher it will hardly be noticed.
http://www.info-sikh.com/Ff06.jpg

[TWR]

Did you say Britain A.O.G.? It used to be called Great Britain if memory serves me well, We get dictated by Brussels, we let the dregs of the world in, Is "WHITE" Xmas going to be next in case we offend?

[whiskeryron]

I really applaud this brave soldier who wants to serve his queen by being as close to her as possible. I have known many Sikhs who helped to save this country from the ravages of Nazi-ism, like Gurkha's & other members of our glorious world wide former empire who I regard with heartfelt admiration for their undying loyalty in the face of some so called Christians morals who regard them as a lower order of our multicultural Britishness.
Jatinderpal, go for it mate & good luck.

WR.

[TWR]

I agree with what you are saying Whisker, he knew their dress code before he signed up, the person had a choice, he took it not let him abide by the code. simple.

[Baldric]

^^^ ??? ^^^

[douglas9401]

Will he be offered wrap around care to cope with bullying?

[IggyB]

He's wearing a helmet in the first photo from the page with what appears to be a turban under it, if that was good enough when he was training then surely it would be good enough to have a lightweight turban on under the bear skin now he is in post?

I'm not sure this is anything to do with multiculturalism - in any uniformed role there will always be people who are unhappy about some aspect of the dress they are expected to wear. Whilst I am something of a lefty believer in equality and diversity I do think that the traditions when it comes to these almost entirely ceremonial roles should be maintained strictly or they should be done away with entirely (there is no logical reason to wear the bear skin but its done because of tradition - I don't think this is a bad thing!)

[Baldric]

From a traditional viewpoint I would prefer to see Bearskins at the Palace, and so I'm sure would the thousands of tourists who visit every year, but for non-ceremonial duties I don't see a problem with the Turban.

[ludwig]

Can't they just give him a huge furry turban? Then everyone's happy.

[TWR]

The option is, wear it, or you do not get the post. simple.

[bazwillrun]

Yet more PC pandering to ethnics

[anotheoldgit]

I happen to have a very close relative in the Grenadier Guards and he has told me on numerous occasions that some of the 'Bear-Skins' are made of Faux Fur, so I would rather take his word for it that some chair bound computer operative.

If one watches the Trooping of the Colour, even the lay person can notice the difference between the two, the faux fur one's look very untidy, this is not through any lack of grooming, but by it's very artificial make up.

And for all those animal rights activists amongst you, the fur ones still used are made from the fur of the Canadian Black Bear and the Officer's Bearskin is made from the fur of the Canadian brown bear and died black, from culled bears, which would need to be killed regardless of the Guard's Bearskins.

http://www.thamesweb.co.uk/windsor/castle/guards.html

[anotheoldgit]

sandyRoe

/// If this particular soldier found himself serving in Afghanistan would he refuse to wear a tin helmet and trust to the protective properties of his turban? ///

Good point Sandy, but I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't already designed a tin helmet to look like a turban, (or should that be a turban to look like a tin helmet), whatever?

Most likely in the interests of 'sensitivities' it is kept a military secret, until the day that the Daily Mail finds out about it.

[anotheoldgit]

chaptazbru

/// it must be extremely hot in the summer.This man will be much cooler in his turban, and I have no problem with it whatsoever. ///

Ah now we don't want him to be too hot do we, so why not let him strip down to a loin cloth also?

This is the English summer we are talking about, they actually fought in their 'Bear-Skins' during the heat of the Crimea War. but then we were made of stronger stuff back then.

I say "if you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen".

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814
Mark as Best Answer
AOG

/// I have absolutely no idea what that comment refers to. Please clarify. ///

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1192519-2.html#answer-7507533

See post timed 15.40 on Friday.

[douglas9401]

A furban, Ludwig? :)