Sikh schoolchildren should be allowed to wear their ceremonial daggers (Kirpan) at all times in all public places (including schools), Britain’s first Asian judge Sir Mota Singh QC has said.
I don’t think this will be well received in general. I understand the argument relating to the freedom of religious expression, but where do you draw the line?
Nadia Eweida is back in court against British Airways in the dispute over BA asking her to stop wearing a necklace cross at work. Originally an appeal tribunal found that no religious discrimination had been committed, because “Christians generally” do not consider wearing a cross as a religious “requirement”. I believe this is the crux of the issue for Sir Mota Singh QC, as he would argue that wearing the Kirpan is a religious “requirement” and to deny this ‘right’ is tantamount to religious discrimination.
What happens if I believe that carrying a sword is a religious requirement for me personally, or if the Jedi Church decide that wielding a Lightsaber is a ‘religious requirement’? We’d all be in trouble then 
Sir Mota Singh QC spoke out after a number of Sikhs were refused entry to schools and other venues because they were wearing the Kirpan or other religious artefacts.
Sir Mota, who received a knighthood in the 2010 New Year Honours list, said he had worn his Kirpan without problems for up to 40 years, in public buildings including Buckingham Palace.
“Not allowing someone who is baptised to wear a Kirpan is not right,” Sir Mota told BBC Asian Network.
The sheathed scimitar, which is attached to a cloth belt and normally worn discreetly under clothes, is one of five “articles of faith” that baptised Sikhs must be carried at all times. The others are Kara (a steel bangle), Kesh (unshorn hair), Kanga (a comb) and Kacha (special underwear).
Last year, a 14-year-old Sikh boy was refused entry to the Compton School in Barnet after governors ruled his Kirpan was a health and safety risk.
The same year, a Sikh police officer won his case for discrimination against Greater Manchester Police after he was told to remove his turban during riot training.
And in 2008, 14-year-old Sarika Singh won a High Court case against Aberdare Girls’ School in south Wales after it excluded her for breaking its “no jewellery” rule for wearing a Kara. The school was found guilty of indirect discrimination under race relations and equality laws.
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.
‘No objection’
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,” said Sir Mota, who received a knighthood in the 2010 New Year Honours list.
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