Sikhs remind us of the values we have lost

FOR returned emigrants like me who spent most of our working lives in Britain, the decision to discriminate against Sikhs joining the Garda Reserve is astonishing.

In fact, the gardaí, if they could see for a moment beyond their institutional racism, should be actively encouraging the recruitment of Sikhs to their ranks.

During my 24 years as a Coventry city councillor, meeting and working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and nationalities, Sikhs have always impressed me with their courtesy and generosity; but most of all with their sense of duty to the cities and towns where they have chosen to live and raise their families.

For them, giving something back to the host community is a natural part of Sikh civic responsibility. These are people from whom modern Ireland could take lessons in family loyalty, cohesiveness and caring for their aged population. They might just remind us of the values that are slipping through our greedy fingers.

For a country like ours that struggled to cling to its religious culture, it is grossly insulting to require these wonderful people to forsake one of the most important tenets of their faith.

I realise we have a Government that doesn’t believe in intervening on issues concerning business or politics. But perhaps this time they might make an exception.

Nick Nolan

Ballinalacken

Ballylanders

Co Limerick