Every now and then this question comes up. Sikhs living in different parts of the world want the local legislations to be changed to allow young sikhs, in age group of 8 to 18, be allowed to carry the traditional Kirpan
This is often a contentious issue because Kirpan can easily be used as a weapon against other kids. And most developed societies are not in favour of allowing overt religious symbols in classrooms. However, for most Sikh political and advocacy groups, the issue of Daggers in Classrooms is as basic as the fundamental right to vote or right to freedom of speech as guaranteed by the constitution in a democracy.
Recently in a Bangalore Sikh community forum, a guy posted a message saying that this is an issue for the survival of sikh faith. I wrote a comment which said that it definitely is not and that i am in favour of actually banning these daggers from classrooms all together. Not only several community members ganged up against me, they questioned my faith and my beliefs, but went on to abuse me on this forum. It is not the first time i have felt isolated in a religius debate. I just dont connect with most people on questions like these i guess. But this is my blog and i want to make my opinion clear on this subject.
I am a Sikh, and I am against daggers in classrooms and in offices. This is what i think is right and i think that the Sikh faith is not doing enough to encourage a debate over the issue internally. Following are my reasons for being against "allowing students carry real daggers to schools":-
1. Kids are Kids: They will use daggers for not so noble purposes, no matter what justification you bring on the table.
2. Kirpan is a symbolic representation of faith. Technically, a small replica of the kirpan should suffice.
3. Any overt symbols of faith can create frictions in classroom from students, teachers and administrators. They should be actively discouraged. A muslim student should not be allowed to wear a burqa in a classroom, a muslim boy should not be allowed to carry a suicide vest /AK 47 /Hand grenade to classroom (sorry for the poor sense of humour).
4. When living outside India, Sikhs should respect local customs and make an attempt to integrate with the local society. They should not gheto-ize themselves and carry their 300 year old restrictions to school.
Some relevant Links in Mainstream Media:
What is a Kirpan? Link 1
Some Michigan Schools Permit ‘Religious’ Knives, Yet Cupcakes Are Still Banned (Link 2)
Kirpan Ban Blasted By Sikhs (Canada) Link 3
This is often a contentious issue because Kirpan can easily be used as a weapon against other kids. And most developed societies are not in favour of allowing overt religious symbols in classrooms. However, for most Sikh political and advocacy groups, the issue of Daggers in Classrooms is as basic as the fundamental right to vote or right to freedom of speech as guaranteed by the constitution in a democracy.
Recently in a Bangalore Sikh community forum, a guy posted a message saying that this is an issue for the survival of sikh faith. I wrote a comment which said that it definitely is not and that i am in favour of actually banning these daggers from classrooms all together. Not only several community members ganged up against me, they questioned my faith and my beliefs, but went on to abuse me on this forum. It is not the first time i have felt isolated in a religius debate. I just dont connect with most people on questions like these i guess. But this is my blog and i want to make my opinion clear on this subject.
I am a Sikh, and I am against daggers in classrooms and in offices. This is what i think is right and i think that the Sikh faith is not doing enough to encourage a debate over the issue internally. Following are my reasons for being against "allowing students carry real daggers to schools":-
1. Kids are Kids: They will use daggers for not so noble purposes, no matter what justification you bring on the table.
2. Kirpan is a symbolic representation of faith. Technically, a small replica of the kirpan should suffice.
3. Any overt symbols of faith can create frictions in classroom from students, teachers and administrators. They should be actively discouraged. A muslim student should not be allowed to wear a burqa in a classroom, a muslim boy should not be allowed to carry a suicide vest /AK 47 /Hand grenade to classroom (sorry for the poor sense of humour).
4. When living outside India, Sikhs should respect local customs and make an attempt to integrate with the local society. They should not gheto-ize themselves and carry their 300 year old restrictions to school.
Some relevant Links in Mainstream Media:
What is a Kirpan? Link 1
Some Michigan Schools Permit ‘Religious’ Knives, Yet Cupcakes Are Still Banned (Link 2)
Kirpan Ban Blasted By Sikhs (Canada) Link 3
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