Sikh Judge Sir Mota Singh Criticises Banning Of Kirpan (Dagger)

[DeSwiss]

Sikh judge Sir Mota Singh criticises banning of Kirpan

By Poonam Taneja
BBC Asian Network
Page last updated at 05:38 GMT, Monday, 8 February 2010


Sir Mota Singh QC
Judge Sir Mota Singh wears a white turban instead of a wig in court

Sikhs should be allowed to wear their ceremonial daggers - known as Kirpans - to school and other public places, Britain's first Asian judge has said. There have been a number of cases of Sikhs being refused entry to venues because they wear the Kirpan or other religious artefacts. Sir Mota Singh QC has now criticised schools, in particular, over the issue. "Not allowing someone who is baptised to wear a Kirpan is not right," Sir Mota told BBC Asian Network.

Last year, a Sikh police officer, who had been told to remove his turban during riot training, won a discrimination case against Greater Manchester Police. A schoolboy was also banned from wearing his Kirpan at a school in Barnet, London. And, in 2008, 14-year-old Sarika Singh won a High Court case against her school after it excluded her for breaking its "no jewellery" rule for wearing a Kara (steel bangle), which is another symbol of Sikh faith.

The school was found guilty of indirect discrimination under race relations and equality laws. "I see no objection to a young Sikh girl or boy, who's been baptised, being allowed to wear their Kirpan if that's what they want to do," added Sir Mota, who received a knighthood in the 2010 New Year Honours list.

*snip*

In Sikhism, the Kirpan and Kara are two of the five "articles of faith" that must be carried at all times by baptised Sikhs. The others are Kesh (unshorn hair), Kara, Kanga (comb) and Kacha (special underwear).

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[aquart]

1. Okay, another religion with special underwear.

Of course, underwear is so much harder to ban.