by TChris

During the 25 years he's worked for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Kevin Harrington has worn a turban. The Sikh subway driver is now being told he'll be demoted to a job in the yards if he defies a directive to wear an MTA badge on his turban.

"I feel wearing the patch violates my religious freedom," Harrington, 53, told The New York Daily News. "The turban is a sacred space, so it's like asking a priest to wear a logo on his vestments."

Harrington's lawyer, Amardeep Singh, said his client had always worn the turban in his 25 years on the job, but it was only after "9/11 that the agency tried to get its Sikh and Muslim employees to stop wearing their turbans and hijabs."

Employees who don't wear turbans presumably affix their badges to other articles of clothing. It's difficult to imagine a nondiscriminatory rationale for denying Harrington the same opportunity. A Justice Department lawsuit, filed in September, should put an end to MTA's infringement of Harrington's right to practice his religion. Until then, Harrington is complying (albeit grudgingly) with MTA's demands.

"It just feels stupid," he said. "I feel like a church has been desecrated."