Government of India issues corrigendum of order barring Sikh employees from carrying Kirpan at country’s airports
Amritsar, March 14:
The Government of India (GOI) has withdrawn its order which barred the Sikh employees from performing duties at the Indian airports while wearing Kirpan, one of five Kakaars (symbols of faith).
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had taken a strict notice of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation’s AvSec Order 02/2022 dated March 4, 2022 issued by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which barred the Sikh employees or stakeholders performing their duties at domestic or international terminals of India airports from carrying Kirpan on person.
Registering strong objection to this order, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami wrote a letter to Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on March 9, and said that it a major attack on the religious freedom of the citizen Sikhs and therefore the order should be withdrawn immediately.
Regarding the corrigendum issued by the GOI, Advocate Dhami said, “Although it is good that the concerned order has been amended, the Government of India should have thought before issuing such a notification. Sikhs always fight for India and give their martyrdoms and the governments should never forget that the culture of the country is alive because of the sacrifices of Sikhs.”
Advocate Dhami asked the GOI to be careful in future such that the religious sentiments of people of every faith are not hurt and ensure that the religious freedom of every citizen in the country is preserved.