Baptized Sikh cricket fan Gurdev Singh was denied access to the Lord's cricket ground on Sunday after he was found to be carrying a traditional Kirpan (dagger).
On being denied entry, Singh staged a protest outside the east gate of the Lord's cricket ground, where a Test match between India and England is being played.
“I was refused entry because I did not agree to take off my Kirpan as Kirpan is a body part of a Sikh. It is always on our body, we wash with it, we clothe ourselves everyday, we go everywhere with our Kirpan. That much respect we give to our Kirpan,” said Singh.
“It is the same Kirpan that saved half of people and are able to live in freedom, when Sikhs went from all the villages from Punjab, from Jalandar, Phagwara, Ludhiana and came in for with these English people against the Nazis. A woe, which had nothing to do with us but yes my ancestors which I am proud of, they came from India fought here, honorably. And gave me the ability to live freely but now I am asked to take my Kirpan off and refused entry,” added Singh.
He said that Lord's might be a legendary cricket venue, but it is also one of the dirtiest places in London.
Kirpan is a curved ceremonial dagger and is regarded as one of the key religious symbols of the Sikh community.
Five articles of faith are required to wear by baptized Sikhs, the Kirpan, the Kara – a steel bracelet, the Kachhehra – a type of shorts, kes – the unshorn hairs and the Kangha – a comb, which is further covered by a turban.
Each article of faith has its own spiritual significance for Sikhs. The Kirpan is known to symbolise pride and self-reliance, as well as the willingness to defend the weak and the oppressed
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sikh-cricket-fan-denied-entry-in-lords/821934/0
On being denied entry, Singh staged a protest outside the east gate of the Lord's cricket ground, where a Test match between India and England is being played.
“I was refused entry because I did not agree to take off my Kirpan as Kirpan is a body part of a Sikh. It is always on our body, we wash with it, we clothe ourselves everyday, we go everywhere with our Kirpan. That much respect we give to our Kirpan,” said Singh.
“It is the same Kirpan that saved half of people and are able to live in freedom, when Sikhs went from all the villages from Punjab, from Jalandar, Phagwara, Ludhiana and came in for with these English people against the Nazis. A woe, which had nothing to do with us but yes my ancestors which I am proud of, they came from India fought here, honorably. And gave me the ability to live freely but now I am asked to take my Kirpan off and refused entry,” added Singh.
He said that Lord's might be a legendary cricket venue, but it is also one of the dirtiest places in London.
Kirpan is a curved ceremonial dagger and is regarded as one of the key religious symbols of the Sikh community.
Five articles of faith are required to wear by baptized Sikhs, the Kirpan, the Kara – a steel bracelet, the Kachhehra – a type of shorts, kes – the unshorn hairs and the Kangha – a comb, which is further covered by a turban.
Each article of faith has its own spiritual significance for Sikhs. The Kirpan is known to symbolise pride and self-reliance, as well as the willingness to defend the weak and the oppressed
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sikh-cricket-fan-denied-entry-in-lords/821934/0
