Connecticut DMV rescinds turban removal requirement for drivers license photos
Title
Connecticut DMV rescinds turban removal requirement for drivers license photos
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8
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Gloria Suhasini
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The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Connecticut has withdrawn a recently introduced policy that required Sikhs to remove their turbans before being photographed for a drivers license. The withdrawal came following complaints by members of the Sikh community.
Initially, the department changed its policy to require a letter from a gurdwara, or Sikh temple, certifying that the license-seeker is a member and a practicing Sikh be presented at the time of photographing. However, this policy was modified again and DMV employees were instructed not to ask for any such written document as proof. Community members are now pushing for a similar policy change in other states in the country as well. I have come to know that in Minnesota, too, our community members are asked to remove the turban for license photographs, Amarjit Singh Buttar, chairman of World Sikh Council-America Region (WSC-AR), told News India-Times.
Barbara Tanuis, bureau chief of branch operations for the Connecticut DMV, who was first informed of the practice by Buttar, said in a letter to the WSC-AR chairman that the department will not require members of the Sikh faith to remove their turbans and will not be required to provide any proof of practicing the faith.
She stated, It is not our intent to appear insensitive to people of any faith, but rather to have general guidelines to follow for all residents regarding head coverings.
The rule must have come as part of the backlash from last years September 11th terror attacks, according to Buttar, who claimed several community members felt the same way.
Even last summer I was required to get an ID renewed at the DMV, Buttar, who lives in Vernon, Conn., observed. He added that he has been living in the United States since 1970, and has renewed his license at least five times, but he was never asked to remove his turban.
Initially, the department changed its policy to require a letter from a gurdwara, or Sikh temple, certifying that the license-seeker is a member and a practicing Sikh be presented at the time of photographing. However, this policy was modified again and DMV employees were instructed not to ask for any such written document as proof. Community members are now pushing for a similar policy change in other states in the country as well. I have come to know that in Minnesota, too, our community members are asked to remove the turban for license photographs, Amarjit Singh Buttar, chairman of World Sikh Council-America Region (WSC-AR), told News India-Times.
Barbara Tanuis, bureau chief of branch operations for the Connecticut DMV, who was first informed of the practice by Buttar, said in a letter to the WSC-AR chairman that the department will not require members of the Sikh faith to remove their turbans and will not be required to provide any proof of practicing the faith.
She stated, It is not our intent to appear insensitive to people of any faith, but rather to have general guidelines to follow for all residents regarding head coverings.
The rule must have come as part of the backlash from last years September 11th terror attacks, according to Buttar, who claimed several community members felt the same way.
Even last summer I was required to get an ID renewed at the DMV, Buttar, who lives in Vernon, Conn., observed. He added that he has been living in the United States since 1970, and has renewed his license at least five times, but he was never asked to remove his turban.
Vtmbh article date
2002-09-27
Vtmbh article edition
36
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170
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1
Vtmbh article original language
English
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News India-Times
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briefs
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Connecticut DMV rescinds turban removal requirement for drivers license photos
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born-digital
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article
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yes
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2002-09-27
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“Connecticut DMV rescinds turban removal requirement for drivers license photos,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed October 1, 2026, https://911.dev.chnm.gmu.edu/items/1510/.