SGPC hands over memorandum regarding Kirpan restriction on Sikh Employees at airports
Amritsar, April 18:
The Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Rajwinder Singh Bhatti, today paid obeisance at Sri Harmandar Sahib. Later he was honoured at Sri Darbar Sahib Information Center by SGPC Secretary Partap Singh.
On this occasion, a letter written by SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami was handed over to CISF DG Rajwinder Singh Bhatti by Secretary Partap Singh. The letter urged resolution of the ongoing issues faced by Amritdhari Sikh employees at the Indian airports regarding the wearing of the Kirpan.
The letter stated that the recent directive issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which restricts Sikh employees from wearing the Kirpan while on duty at airports, is an excess to Sikhs. This discrimination within our own country is a serious attack on the religious freedom of Sikh citizens. The Indian government should never forget the immense sacrifices made by Sikhs for the nation’s independence. It is painful that Sikhs, who laid down their lives for the country, are being subjected to such injustice in their own homeland. The government should refrain from actions that hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
The DG of CISF was urged to coordinate with the concerned ministry to find a permanent resolution to this issue. Present on the occasion were assistant manager Gurtinderpal Singh, information officer Jatinderpal Singh and Sandeep Singh, among others.