Sikh employees can carry ‘kirpans’ at airports: Centre

The aviation security regulator, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has permitted Sikh aviation sector employees to carry “kirpan” on person within the airport premises, a document stated

The aviation security regulator, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has permitted Sikh aviation sector employees to carry “kirpan” on person within the airport premises, a document stated.

As the Union government has withdrawn its order which barred Sikh employees from performing duties at the airports while wearing ‘kirpan’, the SGPC on Monday hailed the move. On March 9, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami had written to the Union civil aviation minister, stating that the March 4 order was an attack on Sikh rights. (HT File Photo)

The BCAS order on March 4, banning Sikh aviation sector employees from carrying “kirpan” on person within any Indian airport premises, was criticised by leading Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Subsequently, on March 12, the BCAS removed the ban. In the March 4 order, the BCAS said, “Kirpan may be carried only by a Sikh passenger, on his person, provided the length of the blade does not exceed six inches and the total length does not exceed nine inches”.

“Kirpan” is allowed while travelling by air on Indian aircraft within India, it noted.

“This exception shall be for Sikh passengers only as stated above. And, no stakeholder or its employee at the airport (including Sikh) and working in any terminal, domestic or international, shall be allowed to carry “kirpan” on person,” it added.

On March 9, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami wrote a letter to Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, stating that the March 4 order was an attack on Sikh rights.

Therefore, on March 12, the BCAS issued a corrigendum to the March 4 order.

The corrigendum removed the paragraph that prohibited Sikh employees to bring “kirpan” at any airport.

SGPC hails move

AMRITSAR As the Union government has withdrawn its order which barred Sikh employees from performing duties at the airports while wearing ‘kirpan’, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday hailed this move.

After the ban came to light when a Sikh employee was restricted from wearing “kirpan” at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami had registered a strong protest to this order and had written to Union minister of civil aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia on March 9 terming it a major attack on the religious freedom of the Sikhs.

Regarding the corrigendum issued by the government, Dhami said, “Although it is good that the order has been amended, the Government of India should have thought before issuing such a notification. Sikhs have always fought for the country and the governments should never forget that the culture of the country is alive because of the sacrifices of Sikhs.”

Dhami asked the government to be careful in the future so that the religious sentiments of people of every faith are not hurt and ensure that the religious freedom of every citizen in the country is preserved.

Meanwhile, Kulwant Singh Ankhi, patron, Amritsar Vikas Manch, expressed satisfaction over the lifting of the ban.

“The issue was brought to the notice of Manjinder Singh Sirsa, former president, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, with the efforts of whom the ban was lifted,” he added.