Kirpan Law

[One Man Army]

gurfateh

can some 1 urgently give me a copy f the law stating sikhs can wear kirpans in the UK!

[Guest Bass Singh]

VJKK VJKF

Veer Ji,

Is It Legal To Carry A Kirpan In Britain?

Yes it is! Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (section 139) and Criminal Justice 1996 (section 3 and 4) allows anyone to carry a blade exceeding the length of 3 inches for religious, cultural or work related reasons. The Criminal Justice Act and the 2003 Religious Discrimination Act safeguards the Sikhs to carry the Kirpan.

The following is a record to discussion held in the House of commons on 22 March 2005:

From www.publications.parliament.uk

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on the wearing of the kirpan by Sikh employees. [221672]

Mr. Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) commitment not to discriminate unfairly on the grounds of religion or belief is set out clearly in our equal opportunities policy. This states: "All FCO staff are entitled to be treated with respect. No staff should be exposed to unfair discrimination, including harassment, bullying or victimisation on any grounds, particularly gender, family status, race, disability, religion, faith or sexual orientation." The FCO does not have a specific policy on the wearing of clothing or items associated with particular religions. This includes the kirpan. However, in line with our equal opportunities policy, all employees are free to practice their religion.

The FCO has taken a number of steps to address discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. These include: diversity training for all staff, diversity objectives for all staff, provision of prayer rooms, and flexible working which enables staff to pray during religious festivals

quoted from: -

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=K...tions_in_the_UK

VJKK VJKF!

[Wutgwan]

Gurfateh ji

Baiscally, it is legal to wear the kirpan publically, but there is a grey area, if an organisation (private etc) feels that the wearing of a kirpan can be a health and safety risk, then they can argue against the wearing of a kirpan.

Having said that any ruling that prohibits the wearing of a kirpan has to be careful that it is not 'indirect racial discrimination'

Recently with Guru's kirpa some nawjawan from the UK (Midlands) campaigned successfully to allow kirpans to be worn into a football staduim. It was discussed in a logical way and potential health and saftey concerns were overcome in a sensible way.

Ultimate Pappi PM me if you want more details of this case and help in any kirpan issues.

Gurfateh jio

[orono]

So hows about Passport office and I heard that Fauja Singh(the adidas one) wasn't allowed on to London Eye, even at an Adidas event

[Wutgwan]

So hows about Passport office and I heard that Fauja Singh(the adidas one) wasn't allowed on to London Eye, even at an Adidas event

i think passport situation has been resolved, London eye still ongoing.

[orono]

so its possible to go passport office with kirpan on

[Pyara]

so its possible to go passport office with kirpan on

yep...but you get seen to at a different section...the security guards will guide you