#LetSikhsPlay hashtag protests International Basketball Federation’s turban ban http://t.co/2NFKbvws3h pic.twitter.com/h4Gv3Cr0BL
— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) July 18, 2014
Two Sikh basketball players from India playing in an international tournament were told they would have to take off their turbans if they wanted to play, reports NBC.
The players were approached by referees with the request right before the Asia Cup game between India and Japan. Both Amrit Pal Singh and Amjyot Singh complied.
The referees cited some rule which bans the wearing of any equipment that might cause injury to other players.
“This ruling is especially surprising given that FIBA allows Sikhs to play with turbans, and that we have had Sikhs playing competitive basketball with their turbans in the NBL Canada (Dipanjot Singh) and NCAA (Darsh Preet Singh),” the Sikh Coalition said.
The hashtag #LetSikhsplay emerged in protest on Twitter.
You can read some of those hashtags and reaction from India’s coach on NBC.