- Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri extended greetings on Sikh Dastar Diwas, honoring the turban’s importance.
- He described the dastar as a symbol of faith, identity, and self-respect in Sikh tradition.
- The day marks the Khalsa Panth’s birth and the historical significance of Guru Gobind Singh’s teac
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri extended his greetings to the Sikh community on the occasion of Sikh Dastar Diwas or International Turban Day on Monday.
Taking to social media and official channels, the Union Minister emphasised the spiritual and cultural significance of the 'dastar', describing it as a symbol of faith, self-respect, and Sikh identity.
Puri also wrote about the significance of the turban on X, "Dastar or turban is an article of faith & a symbol of pride & identity for us Sikhs. Greetings to the members of the Sangat on the occasion of #SikhDastarDiwas."
In 2010, when Puri was India's envoy to the UN, security officials at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas had sought to pat down his turban, which he refused, regarding it as a violation of religious dignity. His refusal had led to him being detained in a "holding room," a report quoting the BBC said.
"I still remember how I had refused to remove my 'dastar' or let anyone touch it at an airport in the US in 2010. This eventually led to the current practice of self-pat checks by Sikhs at international airports."
In 2021, he also welcomed the sacred Guru Granth Sahib texts at the Delhi airport.
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Puri added, "Years later in 2021, I was deeply blessed to receive the three Holy Swaroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and perform Seva when they arrived in Delhi from Kabul."
Dastar or turban is an article of faith & a symbol of pride & identity for us Sikhs. Greetings to the members of the Sangat on occasion of #SikhDastarDiwas.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) April 13, 2026
I still remember how I had refused to remove my Dastar or let anyone touch it at an airport in the US in 2010. This… pic.twitter.com/voyPKwTwJt
The global Sikh community observes Sikh Dastar Diwas to honour the 'dastar' (turban) and its deep-rooted importance in Sikh history and spirituality. Observed annually on April 13, the day serves as a powerful reminder of the turban's role as an inseparable pillar of faith, honour, and self-respect.
The observance is timed to mark the birth of the Khalsa Panth in 1699. On this day, the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, reshaped the social order by mandating the turban for his followers.
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