SGPC forms panel to address ‘kirpan’ restrictions on Gursikh airport employees

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has formed a panel to take up the issue of restrictions imposed on on-duty Gursikh employees at airports from supporting “kakkars” (Sikh religious symbols) with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. This issue, along with others such as the negative narrative being created against Sikhs in the Canada ruckus incident and the denial of visas to a large number of Sikh pilgrims by the Pakistan embassy, were discussed and resolutions were passed during the maiden meeting of the executive body, chaired by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami.

A major controversy had erupted over the ban on wearing ‘kirpan’ (a Sikh religious symbol) by on-duty Gursikh airport staff members by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) through a notification dated October 31, 2014. However, Sikh passengers were free to carry ‘kirpan’, not exceeding the designated specification while boarding a flight. The blade of Kirpan should not exceed 15.24 cm (6 inch) and the total length of the Kirpan should not exceed 22.86 cm (9 inch).

The panel, comprising SGPC’s senior vice president Raghujit Singh Virk, junior vice president Baldev Singh Kalyan, general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala, chief secretary Kulwant Singh Manan, secretary Pratap Singh, and deputy secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi, will meet the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu.

Dhami expressed regret that Sikhs in their own country were struggling to have their constitutional rights recognised. “Preventing Gursikh employees from wearing ‘kirpan’ at airports is a denial of religious freedom of Sikhs. It is also a violation of the Indian Constitution, as Sikhs have the full right to travel by air within the country and practice their religious beliefs,” he said.

The SGPC executive also passed a condemnation resolution of the alleged Hindu temple attack in Brampton, which was reportedly a planned attempt to tarnish the image of Sikhs. “The way hatred was spread against Sikhs regarding this incident in Canada seems to be part of a well-thought-out policy. Similarly, extrajudicial killings of Sikhs on foreign land raised questions,” Dhami said.

Additionally, the SGPC executive condemned the significant reduction in visas for Indian Sikh pilgrims on the occasion of Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev by the Pakistan authorities, which hurt Sikh sentiments. The SGPC executive also appealed to the Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara Elections to ensure that only genuine voters eligible for voting in SGPC polls participate.