New Delhi: The National Minorities Commission (NCM) has sought the intervention of the Pope in the wake of the controversial decision by the French Government banning wearing of turbans by Sikh students in schools in that country.

"I have written to the Pope about the religious beliefs of the Sikh community and the importance of the turban in our religion," Minorities Commission Chairman Tarlochan Singh said in a statement.

He said he had received a letter from Monsignor Felix A Machado, Secretary of Poncciatol Council of Inter Religious dialogue in the Vatican, saying the pontiff has asked the Government of France to respect the dignity of the human person and of his religious rights.

The French Cabinet Ministers on January 28 adopted a Bill to ban conspicuous religious symbols in public schools - the first step to outlawing Islamic headscarves in the classroom.

The Bill, containing three articles, goes to Parliament for debate on Feb 3, 2004.

It stipulates "in schools, junior high schools and high schools, signs and dress that conspicuously show the religious affiliation of students are forbidden."