Youth Akali Dal slams Aviation Ministry over kirpan restrictions for Sikh airport employees
Shiromani Akali Dal's Youth Wing slammed the Civil Aviation Ministry's new decision preventing Sikh employees from carrying kirpans on duty, calling it an "unacceptable" move.
PTC News Desk: Shiromani Akali Dal's Youth Wing slammed the Civil Aviation Ministry's new decision preventing Sikh employees from carrying kirpans on duty, calling it an "unacceptable" move.
Sarabjeet Singh Jhinjer, President of the Youth Akali Dal, remarked that "the recent directive by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), dated 30th October, barring Sikh employees from carrying kirpans on duty, is completely unacceptable and affects Sikh employees at airports nationwide."
He appealed to the Civil Aviation Ministry and BCAS to revoke the order immediately, noting that "the kirpan holds immense religious significance for us as one of the five Kakaars bestowed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji".
The move has already resulted in worrying situations at Indian airports, such as the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar, where baptised Sikh employees have been prohibited from entering terminal areas following security screenings, limiting their capacity to fulfil their tasks. Jhinjer has urged for a review of existing policies to ensure that Sikh religious symbols are treated fairly.
"Practising one’s faith is a democratic right for all individuals, and this move clearly infringes on the rights of Sikh workers at airports nationwide. This is a stark example of religious intolerance and discrimination, which has no place in a democratic country like India," Jhinjer added.
He denounced the directions as yet another "shameful attempt" by the BJP-led Central government to "undermine Sikhs and their beliefs".
"This is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of anti-Sikh sentiment and hate speech perpetuated by the BJP. We have witnessed similar incidents in the past. The Sikh community will not tolerate such blatant disregard for our rights and dignity," he said.
Jhinjer called it a discriminatory policy and further emphasised that the Shiromani Akali Dal has always supported Sikh rights and will continue to do so, urging people to "join us in this struggle for religious freedom and equality"