Wearing a helmet is now mandatory for women riding pillion in the Capital, except for those belonging to the Sikh community. A notification in this regard was issued on Thursday after Delhi lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung gave a go-ahead to it.
The Transport Depart-ment’s move came following the Delhi High Court’s order to amend the law, making helmets mandatory for all. However, Sikh women were exempted from the rule after their community strongly objected to the move on religious grounds.
The Transport Department had cited the risk involved in case of an accident while defending the decision. It said that the move was prompted due to the increasing number of accidents on the city’s roads and helmets will go a long way in saving lives.
“All agencies, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Delhi Traffic Police and Delhi Commission for Women, have supported the move,” said a Transport Department official.
The transport department had on May 2 sought suggestions from people on the issue. The Sikh community registered its strong objection. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee had written to the lieutenant-Governor to exempt Sikh women from wearing helmets as it would hurt their religious sentiments. Some Muslim groups have also demanded the same relief for burqa-clad women riding pillion in the Capital. However, the Government only granted relief to the Sikhs.