German court allows Sikh trainee to wear turban on police duty
A police trainee in Bremen has won the right to wear a Sikh turban while on duty. The administrative court ruled that the ban on the dastar lacked proper legal grounds. The decision has reignited discussions about religious freedom and neutrality in Germany's police forces.
Jaspinder Singh first drew attention in May 2025 when he wore his dastar during a swearing-in ceremony. His refusal to remove the turban during public-facing duties led to his reassignment to desk work. The move prompted criticism from supporters, including Michael Labetzke, the Greens' interior policy spokesperson, who backed Singh's right to wear the religious headwear.
The Bremen court has now reinstated the suspensive effect of Singh's lawsuit against the ban. This means he can continue wearing the dastar while the case is fully reviewed. The judges argued that current police uniform rules do not provide a strong enough legal basis for prohibiting the turban.
The ruling follows a broader trend in western German states. Since 2020, courts in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse have allowed religious head coverings in certain cases, provided they do not undermine police neutrality. However, authorities in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have rejected similar requests, keeping the debate alive.
Reactions to the decision have been mixed. The Green Party welcomed Singh's appearance as a way for police to better reflect Bremen's diverse communities. Meanwhile, the SPD's interior policy spokesperson, Kevin Lenkeit, called for stricter regulations to prevent religious displays by officers.
The court's decision allows Singh to wear the dastar for now, but a final ruling is still pending. The case highlights ongoing tensions between religious freedom and the principle of state neutrality in Germany. Different regions continue to take varying approaches to the issue.
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