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Aug 29, 2007 9:57 pm US/Pacific
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New TSA Safety Rule Said To Invade Privacy
by Rafer Weigel
(CBS13)
It may be just a piece of cloth, but to Dr. Jasbir Kang and others, a turban is also a religious symbol.
"I love this country so much, I'm willing to give my life for the freedom. Because I'm here for freedom and don't want my freedom to be taken away," said Dr. Kang.
The doctor worries that could happen when he travels. The TSA is now searching all head gear at airports and some in the Sikh community are worried it could lead to racial profiling.
"I want to make sure that this rule is not abused, just to isolate people because of turbans," said Dr. Kang.
Some Sikhs say if they're asked to take it off, they won't.
"If they want me to do it in a private area, I'll do that. If they ask me to do it in public, I will not do that. And I will not fly," said Kang.
One man started a petition and resolution of congress asking to overturn it. The TSA issued the following statement in response saying:
"The TSA does not conduct ethnic or religious profiling and employs multiple checks and balances to ensure it does not happen. If the issue cannot be resolved through a pat-down search, the individual will be offered the opportunity to remove the head covering in a private screening area."
That is something the doctor says he might do.
"If you want to check a lady, if you suspect they have something under their bra, you want to do it with grace and respect and privacy," said Dr. Kang.
The TSA says they will be allowed to put the turban back on before exiting a private room. The question is how will this work out logistically.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)