Regarding exemption of women from wearing helmets, the Punjab-Haryana High Court made it clear that this is only for those Sikhs who wear turbans. Apart from them, no one is exempted from this. The High Court has now ordered Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh to submit the details of challans issued in the case of women driving two-wheelers without helmets and sitting behind them.
The Punjab-Haryana High Court had started hearing by taking cognizance of motor vehicle accidents and road safety. In this case, the Chandigarh administration had told the High Court that on July 6, 2018, the Motor Vehicle Act was amended and a provision was made to exempt only Sikh women wearing turbans from helmets. Under this, helmets were made compulsory for all other women, whether they are Sikh or not. After this, religious organizations started protesting against it.
Chandigarh administration and the Center were reprimanded
Meanwhile, the administration sought an advisory from the Central Government, in response to which it was suggested to exempt all Sikh women from helmets. After which the rule was changed and again all Sikh women were exempted from helmets. On this, the High Court had reprimanded the Chandigarh administration and the Central Government and said that how can the government make such a provision.
The matter is about the safety of women
The High Court had said that how can religious sentiments be hurt by helmet. The matter concerns women’s safety, which we are concerned about. The court had said that the attitude of the Center is beyond understanding, after all how will a Sikh woman be identified. Will you stop every woman without a helmet and ask whether she is a Sikh or not. Now the High Court has made it clear that only Sikhs wearing turbans are exempted from helmet, not women or Sikh women. The High Court has now ordered Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh to submit the details of challans of women driving without helmet or sitting behind the vehicle.
