Does refusing entry to a turban wearer amount to discrimination?

Only if we can ban reck-necks, hill-billies & then society would be a great place! Rcd-necks still haven't learned anything from this simple issue. If the red-necks stopped breeding with one and another they'd probably learn that their mother and sister they breed with are the same person!! A hat is only a hat, it's what is beneath/inside that matters! This is probably a bit too deep and cryptic for the hill-billies but most of us will understand the analogy!

James, I completely disagree with everything you have said in all your opinions - bar - the comment regarding the pm show! Oh yes - it's just too painful to listen to.

James, thank you for your opinion. To clarify, I am NOT confused. THIS is exactly the mind set of blatant racism that shows it's ugly head! This whole debacle is about tolerance - of which you seem to have NONE! I remember a huge deal being made about a Pub owner who kicked out a Maori for having a facial tatoo - AND THAT GOT HIM INTO HOT WATER! It's not acceptable - have some tolerance!

I was born and bred in Manurewa and its good to see that the hillbillies haven't stopped breeding!!ha-ha most of them use to drink at the Manurewa Rugby Club but the didn't like the PI's who have dominated Manurewa rugby so they've retreated to the comfort of a closed shop, RSA?! Not many if any are genuine servicemen anyway! They'll die out and the indian community will move in because they're growing!ha-ha go job!

I respect your customs when I am in your country when I have to cover my shoulders, arms, ankles and hair, show the same respect in my country, remove your headwear as you would at a dinner table. You do not want to respect this countrys ways? then leave. Simple.

Thank you for pointing this out james...Mr Singh had the option of NOT passing through the bar to gain access to the function room - there are two entrance points to the Manurewa Cossie club and one does not require passing through the bar area.

SO why the heck are we having this disscoussion at all why did the up stuck punjabi man not use the other entrance, that is what any person with half a brain and a quart of common sense would have done...im sick of immingrants in this country trying to bend this countrys customs to suit them where they should bend themselves to the customs of the people already here...and no i aint racist ...im just complety dumbfounded at peoples reactions sometimes like this turban wearer...simply too snoobish to bend to others customs yet expecting others to conform to his or make special laws so he can show how indervidual he is from the rest of us
MR sing if i was you i would have a real hard look at my religious teachings esp the part about being equal and same in stature.
And also mr sing learn this wonderfull kiwi phrase.
LIKE WATER OF A DUCKS BACK!...You are over reacting to a situation with a simple solution...TAKE THE BLOODY TURBAN OFF!!!.show your respect for fellow man!

Brenda you are missing the point and confusing this matter with something completely at odds with the arguement. Calling something racist, that it is patently not, is a very cheap method of garnering sympathy.
Now put simply for your better understanding (???????) - It is not a matter of racism; it is about an accepted, observed dress code at a members only club. The people who arranged for the award ceremony at the MCC should have/ would have been well aware of the governing rules. IMO this whole affair is a beat up by people with an agenda.

I think there are places even in India where wearing a turban is banned...

It's a turban - it's head gear! I CANNOT understand this mentality in New Zealand! This race based fear and loathing of people who do anything different to you, it's nothing short of bloody disgusting! Get hold of your immigration department and stop ALL migrants then. Have a brain scan at the airport so when we all arrive you can erase ALL memory of our previous lives.......... It's this type of 'spite' that shames me about your attitude! In closing - get used to it - migrants from all over the world are here to stay!

To Kerry: You have indeed reinforced the impression of, AND proved the case of ' dumb, ignorant people' by your misreading of my post. You are what you set out to prove. Re-read my post, I wrote, "It(the club) has every right to expect the rules OF the membership to be observed." Note that it reads not the rules FOR membership but the rules OF membership.
Whether Mr Singh was a member or a guest has no bearing on the debate. The rules of the club are equally applicable to members and guests alike.
Mr Singh had the option of NOT passing through the bar to gain access to the function room - there are two entrance points to the Manurewa Cossie club and one does not require passing through the bar area.
Now if he is a fair and reasonable man, as he is portrayed, then he had every right to seek permission to speak at the AGM or have a nominee speak for him BEFORE taking the course he and his supporters have opted for; then the club membership could decide on an exemption or not. As I understand it, at the recent AGM the majority membership voted to retain the rule concerning headwear. At the MCC there is NO BAN on access or membership by people of the Sikh religion, or other, as far as I am aware.