Tarlochan Singh seeks reconsideration of kirpan ban for Sikh airline staff
Former National Commission for Minorities chairperson Tarlochan Singh has urged Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to reconsider the ban on Sikh staff carrying kirpans on domestic flights. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security’s new circular, dated October 30, allows Sikh passengers to carry small kirpans but prohibits Sikh staff members of airlines and airports, including security personnel and pilots, from doing so.
Singh, who secured permission for Sikh passengers to wear small-sized kirpans on domestic flights in 2002, argues that the new circular violates India’s religious freedom.
“I have read the new circular where you have not permitted the Sikh staff of any entity to wear kirpan on duty in the domestic flights. This is a complete violation of the religious freedom of the people. A pilot who adheres to Sikh “maryada” has to keep a 6 inches kirpan all the time. I urge you to reconsider your decision and remove the discrimination for the Sikh staff of any kind on domestic flights,” he said in his letter today.
The circular specifies that the kirpan’s blade should not exceed 6 inches and its length should not exceed 9 inches. However, Singh contends that this restriction unfairly discriminates against Sikh staff members.
