{"links":{"self":"https://preview.epetitions.website/archived/petitions/26216.json"},"data":{"type":"archived-petition","id":26216,"parliament":{"period":"2010-2015","government":"Conservative – Liberal Democrat coalition","dissolution_at":"2015-03-30T23:59:59.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"RACIAL groups allowed to practice their customs (like wearing turbans, wearing burkas), but not allowed if not a RELGIOUS group?","background":null,"additional_details":"HMG should decide on the confusion which have priority or the same - i.e. racial groups practising their customs or believers’ religious observances? Court could legally define a race by factors like genetics, language, appearance, geographical area, etc. Sikhs/Jews an ethnic race, cult or religion? In Mandla v Dowell Lee (1983) House of Lords found that Sikhs constituted a RACIAL group when a Sikh boy was refused a place at a school because he wore a turban. This judgement was based on Sikhs long shared history & collective consciousness distinguishing them from other groups in customs, geographical origin, language, being recognised as a separate group in the surrounding community. Jews regard a Jew as born of Jewish mother. A person can be a Jew even if not practising Judaism. Likewise can a person be converted to Sikhism by believing in karma & reincarnation unless BORN a Sikh? Belief in reincarnation does not require a believer to start wearing turbans, bangles, etc.","committee_note":null,"state":"rejected","signature_count":1,"created_at":"2011-12-22T08:08:33.000Z","updated_at":"2020-02-16T19:27:45.504Z","rejected_at":"2017-06-21T12:37:11.319Z","opened_at":null,"closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2011-12-22T08:08:33.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_at":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"rejection":{"code":"no-action","details":null},"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[],"topics":[]}}}