Italy Kirpan Case Victory!

[akjforever]

http://www.akj.org/phorum/read.ppa?f=3&i=12325&t=12325

Date: 10-31-03 07:45

Italy Kirpan Case Victory!

On the 3rd August 2003, over 125 Gursikhs from Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK, went on a Parchar tour of Italy, visiting numerous Gurdwarai and doing Seva such as Keertan Darbars, Katha, Rainsbai Keertan, a Gatka demonstration, children’s Gurmat camp and an Amrit Sanchar.

During the Smagam, the majority of the Gursikhs were based at Reggio Millia. Four Gursikhs from the UK, Bhai Bahadur Singh, Bhai Mohinder Singh, Bhai Joginder Singh (all from Derby), Bhai Amrik Singh from Slough and Italy-based Gursikhs, Bhai Halwinder Singh and Bhai Bhupinder Singh, were shopping at the local supermarket, buying food for the Gurmat Camp. They were all wearing Khalsa Bana, with Kirpans and Gatrai on top.

Local police arrested them for wearing Kirpans, which are currently illegal in Italy. They were taken to the local police station. As other Gursikhs from Reggio Millia & UK found out, they went to the police station and released them. Italy Gursikh Sangat said that this was a regular occurrence and Amritdharis get arrested for wearing Kirpans. Nobody spoke out in Italy mainly due to their status of stay not being permanent.

AKJ UK took matters into its own hands and started a media campaign, involving local and national newspapers. Even though Indian Embassy officials who were contacted by the media spoke against Sikhs, calling them “trouble makers”, the good communication by AKJ UK and Gursikh youth in Italy ensured the media was very positive, correctly portraying t

he Sikhs.

On the 9th August, the Gatka demonstration in the main town centre was very successful. The local media, the local Mayor and the head of the local Police were invited as special guests. Sikhs spoke to them about the harassment received by Sikhs over the Kirpan. Both the Mayor and the head of Police gave their full support to the campaign.

Since the 125 Gursikhs from the UK have come back from the Smagam, the campaign for legalising the Kirpan was continued in Italy. AKJ Italy representatives, Bhai Halwinder Singh and Bhai Bhupinder Singh, instructed lawyers to fight the case to legalise the Kirpan. The court date was set for 7th October 2003. The 4 Gursikhs from the UK were also summoned and gave evidence about the harassment they received and the importance of the Kirpan.

With Guru Maharaj’s Kirpa, the judge found in favour of the Gursikhs. Although some local Sikhs were afraid, the strong faith shown by AKJ UK & Italy was victorious. The judge said, “Sikhs have proved themselves as a civil, trustworthy and hardworking community. They have been very successful in Italy. No prejudice should be shown to them or their religious symbols. The Kirpan will now be legalised in my districts of Modena and Reggio Millia”. He also sincerely apologised to all the Gursikhs. The local Sangat celebrated this decision in these districts.

The next stage of the campaign is to take the campaign to the national level, ensuring all Sikhs in Italy are free to wear the 5 Kakkars.

We thanks Guru Maharaj for his blessings and hope the Sangat across the world will continue supporting AKJ UK and AKJ Italy in this important campaign.

Onkar Singh

General Secretary, AKJ UK

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

[Jkaur]

BIG thumbs up to them

[Guest JSS]

thanks for sharing...

definately a big victory for the Khalsa

[akjforever]

No prob, thats why I am here.

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

[kirpakaro]

it is good to see the Spirit of Bhai Randhir Singh, Bhai Fauja Singh ji, is still strong in the AKJ UK

well done!

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

[Guest r k]

the spirit of guru jee, you mean :e:

[GABROO KHALISTAN DAH]

yes guru sahib

[akjforever]

Spirit of Guru Sahib is a given. Bhai Randheer Singh Ji and Bhai Fauja Singh were known to fight for Sikhi at any cost. So in that same tradition these uk Singhs fought for the Singhs in Italy and won.

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

[Guest r k]

hunjee veerji.. most gurmukhs are known to fight for sikhi at any cost.. it's still the spirit of guru sahib that makes them fight..

dhan guru dhan guru pyare

vaheguru jee ka khalsa

vaheguru jee kee fateh