Sri Akal Takht Jathedar flays ban on 'kirpan' for Amritdhari staff at airports, terms it attack on religious freedom

PTC Web Desk: Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh has strongly condemned the recent directive issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to prohibit Amritdhari (baptided Sikh) employees working in security services at airports across India from wearing a Kirpan. The Jathedar termed the move an attack on the religious freedom of the Sikh community.

In a written statement issued from Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat, Giani Raghbir Singh said Sikhs had made more than 80% of the sacrifices in freeing India from centuries of colonial rule. He said kirpan was a symbol of Sikh identity, bestowed upon Sikhs by Gurus as one of the five articles of faith, and was an essential part of their religious life. He argued that banning Amritdhari employees from wearing a kirpan at airports was not only an affront to the Sikh community but also a direct assault on their religious freedom.

Giani Raghbir Singh said this move could lead to Sikh employees being effectively excluded from essential services within the country, which he termed unacceptable. He directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to immediately write to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, informing them of the Sikh community's strong objections to the ban and urging for a policy change. He recommended that a high-level delegation be sent to engage in discussions with the Central government to ensure that Amritdhari employees at airports are allowed to wear kirpan as part of their religious rights.