US News

DIS-TURBAN THE PEACE AT MTA

MTA-employed Sikhs yesterday gained City Council backing in their fight to abolish a rule requiring they adorn their turbans with the agency’s logo.

John Liu, chairman of the council’s Transportation Committee, said the rule “effectively humiliates followers of the faith.”

Liu (D-Queens) was part of a council majority that signed a statement demanding an end to the mandate, which covers Sikh train operators, bus operators, conductors and station agents.

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the MTA, which says the logo is part of a uniform and helps riders find staffers in an emergency.

“Why are they only picking on Sikhs and Muslims?” said plaintiff Kevin Harrington, a Sikh.

Amardeep Singh, head of the Sikh Coalition, said: “You don’t need to brand your turban with a corporate logo to do your job.”