Confronting religion: Sikh prohibited from carrying kirpans at airport
The kirpan is one of the five kakar that are considered a religious necessity for all practising Khalisa Sikhs. Carrying a kirpan, kara (iron bracelet), kanga (Comb), kachera (underwear) and kesh (hair) is considered an essential part of their faith.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Dr Sahib Singh, a representative of the Sikh community and a former member of the district assembly, said that the people of his community had not been allowed to enter the Bacha Khan International Airport with a kirpan.
“If you abandon any one of the five kakar, it means that you are not a member of the Khalisa religion formed by Guru Goband Singh,” explained Dr Singh. He said that people in Punjab understand this rule and do not face any problems at the Lahore airport, where thousands of yatris from across the world are received every year.
Dr Singh further said that as per the 1971 constitution, the Sikh community had been allowed to carry a kirpan of up to three feet. However, Sikhs in Peshawar and other parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa carry only small kirpans, of three to six inches in length. “The constitution of this country gives us the right to carry our religious symbol and there is no evidence that we have harmed anyone with it. It is just a symbol of bravery as our Guru also carried a kirpan with him.”
Another member of the community, Ajeet Singh, said that Sikhs cannot just abandon their religion over security measures. He said that they too are citizens of Pakistan and it is the duty of the provincial government to solve the problem.
A representative of the Hindu community, Haroon Sarb Dyal, told The Express Tribune that a number of meetings with government officials had been held but no progress has been made on the issue. Dyal said that the constitution of Pakistan gives minorities the right to live in accordance with their religious teachings and that the government should resolve the problem.
Civil Aviation Authority Public Relations Officer Pervez George said that even personnel of law enforcement agencies are not allowed to bring arms or anything that poses threat inside the airport.
Mian Safdar, assistant director of the Airport Security Force at the Bacha Khan International Airport said that carrying a kirpan in hand luggage is banned all over the country.“In my 30 years of service, carrying a kirpan has always been strictly prohibited.” He added, however, that kirpans are allowed in
luggage that is checked in.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2012.
COMMENTS (41)
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When are they going to ban Pakistanis from carrying bombs?
@nomi - thanks for tnfo on Niqab. But coming back to the main point. This dagger business poses a threat to the security of everyone on the flight.
As regards to your comments about people should come back to their homelands if they have issues in the west about niqab and Hijab. That can be true for the people who have emigrated to these countries but what about the second generation who is born and grown in those countries. Asking them to go back is simply ludicrous. Go back to where?
And also no Bhurqa too in public places.
@ random
Wrong!
Niqab was banned as it was a security issue. Anyone can be in that dress. Many muslim women refuse to even remove it for security so they banned it. ( which is wrong and should not be done, but security demands it). Anyone wearing a niqab can enter an airport so it is dangerous.
Hijab - it is banned because it is a religious symbol just like it was banned in Turkey. Again which is wrong, but since its their country they did it and many muslims who have problems with it should come back to their beloved homelands.
@Shahid Butt: I am a Sikh and i agree with you, i willingly abide by the law and in the interest of passenger safety i am ready to abide by security checks as laid down by law which must be for all irrespective caste creed or rank.My freedom ends where your nose begins , my freedom at no cost should endanger the lives of a 100 other passengers.
@Umer - allowed in public and allowed in sensitive places such as inside a plan two very different scenarios, you do understand that. In certain states in US you can openly carry a firearm but that does not mean you can carry it off with you in the plane.
@FU - Hijab / niqab was banned in France because it was considered to be an overt symbol of religion and not because of security. Your correlation of Kirpan with Hijab is not valid simply because you cannot kill someone with a Hijab as opposed to Kirpan, especially inside a controlled environment such as a plane . With regards to your comments about Hijab being conducive to carrying a bomb - might i again remind you that here we are talking about the specific case of airports and flights and last i checked there those scanners in the airport which DO detect explosives.
This is part two of my comment. There is no culture of upper or lower class when you are going thru security line. It does not matter whather you are senetor//General/Brigadier/ MNA/ MPA/Minister/Home secretary/Big bussinessman, you have to go thru this line with common passenger. You cannot by pass it. Then after that either you go thru Pat down check up by another person OR have yourself checked thru X-RAY machine so that they can check body cavities of the passenger. Recently ex secretary of state Henry Kissinger(almost 90yrs old and wheel chair bound and very well known in USA and thru out the world) had to go thru the same procedure. This is called application of RULE OF LAW.I hope this information will help every body.
@Jitsingh - I respect ur opinion, hence i do not wish to comment further. All this is God's will, lets leave it for God to decide. Peace.
@Mandip: As per TSA guidelines, you can carry nail filers, Scissors - plastic or metal with blunt tips, Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in length, Umbrellas, Knitting and Crochet Needles, etc. A Kirpan is not any dangerous and should be allowed.
@Mandip: Forks are allowed on the flights and nail filers are also allowed.
@Ajrawat: A nail filer and forks can be dangerous too.
@Exposed what Liberal crap? I am putting forward my point of view. Are you too hurt when the strings on you are played? You have nothing to counter the argument and are very quick to label others who have something to say. Stop playing with the minds of people. Accept your responsibilities. Our first responsibility as human beings and nationals of any nation is to make sure the minorities are well protected and their religion boundaries are not crossed. Do you know why? coz i dont want mine to be crossed when i'm in a non muslim environment. By giving respect you can demand it. PERIOD.
@Prabhjyot Singh Madan: The three inch blade if kept on Neck can do blunders. A Single blade can be dangerous
I live in USA and have gone thru the security points at the different airports. You are allowed to take your boarding pass/passport/ID card in your hand when you pass thru the security gate. You also have to take off your shoes. You are not allowed to take any liquid or gel like tooth paste containing more than 3 oz. You are not allowed to carry any KNIFE or sharp instrument whatever the size may be. As of today you are not allowed to carry any BOTTLE WATER whatever the size may be. This is written for INFORMATION ONLY. REST IS HISTORY. I hope this will help every body.
@ JItSingh - Hi, i respect ur opinion but knives n forks r hence not allowed on plane either. I wear a small kirpan myself n take it off when visiting India, but suppose someone poses as a sikh wearing a small kirpan and happens to cause damage: eg, taking someone hostage and threatening to cut neck or hurt a child?? Our sikh community will be slandered and defamed for allowing this to happen. Rest whatever God wishes I accept. Peace.
My religion requires me to carry a gun on me at all times. If sikhs are allowed to carry their weapon, i should be allowed to carry mine. Simple.
@FU: Simple reason...Its much more easier to carry a plastic bomb under a niqaab than to openly carry a kirpan... Also,niqaab could be used by criminal to escape the CCTV footage and unleash terror...
I think u conveniently forgot that Moscow subway bombs were triggered by a person wearing burkha....
Dont worry,kirpan will be banned when a Sikh terrorist misuse it.
@jagjit sidhoo: Hello Sidhoo, I disagree with you. Sikhs can be clearly identified. kirpan is so small. even some forks and sppon are larger than this and the might be more dangerous. Kirpan is an integral part of sikh code of conduct and Siks across the world are trying to have this acknowledged.
@Prabhjyot Singh Madan: I agree with you Prabhjyot
@Mandip: Hello Mandip, I disagree with you. Sikhs can be clearly identified. kirpan is so small. even some forks and sppon are larger than this and the might be more dangerous. Kirpan is an integral part of sikh code of conduct and Siks across the world are trying to have this acknowledged.
Banning it on the plane is one thing, but at the airport? Doesn't the airport have armed security guards? What harm can someone do with a blunted, 3 inch blade?
What is the policy at US or British airports ? Any body to give that information? Shahid
@Mandip: Agree with you security of the passengers comes first.
@Hardliner @Exposed I am not narrow minded, its just that you are sounding like a hypocrite. When you go to France you embrace their culture and values especially when you intend to settle there. Same goes for all countries where you want to go. When are in minority you need secularism,tolerance and other non sense. But when you are in majority everything should be put out of the window and implement your medieval laws. Granted you are an wonderful peaceful Islamic country, don't bring your medieval mindset into civilized society and lecture them about tolerance, secularism, and religious freedom.
Funny its KP airport authority doing the banning, last i check KP was being run by secular ANP so saying pakistani ppl banning or pak govt banning is a lie.
Sikhs should be allowed to carry kirpan provided it is dulled blade and sewn in that its not easily accessible, Punjab aviation authority allows it, ANP just being ANP nothing more.
i wud love to read more comments from the liberals here please ...
@FU:
Actually, its the other way round........ had u even used ur brains for a few moments, u would have realized the banning game began with Naqaab!
@Pakistani and @FU: You guys sound like typical, narrow minded liberals!
Pakistanis are supporting banning of kirpan because it poses them a security threat. Now by the same angle whats wrong in banning burkha ? Not only in airports but in all public places.
I am a Sikh and I agree this decision is correct. Terrorists can take advantage and pose as sikhs if kirpans are allowed and then can use it to cause harm. Whereas, us Sikhs have been given the kirpan to defend helpless ppl and to defend ourselves.
Before interfering in someone else's belief system we should for a second think how we feel when in france burkha is considered a security threat or in germany circumcision is banned. Let people live in peace and harmony. These five K's are really important for Sikhs so lets show them tolerance.
Yes I feel that this is the right decision and I am a Sikh. Saying this I realise that if this is allowed then other terrorist ppl can pose as Sikhs and then r allowed to carry a kirpan to harm others. Whereas, us Sikhs have been given kirpan so to use only against where unjustice is being done and defend helpless ppl.
This is ok.
I agree that carrying such things on you on an airplane is not a good idea.
@Random: If it’s allowed in the constitution and public is objecting to it than what is the problem?
Guru Gobind Singh............ correct it in 3rd pharagraph
For once I agree with the decision of airport authority. Restricting possession of kirpan for security reasons does not equate to banning the practice of religion.
Common sense should prevail. What next? Another miscreant claiming to be a Sikh carrying Kirpan in airport (or other public places) and massacre others and create a communal riot?
Things are not what they used to be and changing time requires common sense adaptability.
I dont know if sikhism allow any contigency in this regard...if its allowed internationally it should be allowed
Why is this such a big issue, the dagger presents a clear danger to the security of the people on the plane. The world over Muslims are told to keep their religion to themselves and my friends on ET are avid followers of the same thought process. Yet over here we have a non issue being complained about ..