New Delhi: France was today (Oct 27, 2004) non-committal on lifting the ban on turbans by Sikh students attending certain specified French public schools but promised to settle the controversy through talks with the community.

Asked whether the French Government proposed to lift this ban, visiting French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier told reporters in New Delhi "we will try and settle the matter through dialogue with them."

The Sikh community in France, numbering over 5,000, vociferously protested a legislation under which Sikh children attending certain State-run public schools cannot sport turbans. The Indian Government too took up the issue with the French authorities.

Barnier clarified that wearing of turban in France was not banned. He said France is a secular country which protects freedom of religion and faith.

He said the legislation in question prohibited wearing ostentatious religious symbols by students going to these schools.

The French Minister said there were "some difficulties" in the implementation of this legislation. "We have a trusting and positive relationship with the Sikh community," he said, adding that efforts would be pursued to resolve the issue.