Court lifts ban on carrying kirpan at US gurdwara
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 18
A local court in Rochester (USA) has lifted the ban on carrying a kirpan into the Gurdwara Sahib Rochester almost six months after it was imposed in view of some a bid by some persons to take control over the gurdwara.
Talking to The Tribune on phone from the USA, Bhupinder Singh Boparai of Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill, US, and Mukhtiar Singh Ghuman said a committee is managing the affairs of the gurdwara, which is spread over 8 acres of land, for the past 35 years. The committee comprises some Sehajdhari Sikhs. “However, two local residents began creating trouble in June last year, contending that no Sehajdhari Sikh should be at the helm of affairs and they should be given the charge of the gurdwara. They also abused the committee members in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, videos of which were also presented before the court.”
Apprehending that the duo may spell some trouble in the gurdwara, the committee had approached a local court, seeking a ban on carrying the kirpan, measuring three feet and more, inside the gurdwara. However, the court imposed the ban on the kirpan of all sizes, they added.
Boparai said the court has now lifted the ban on six-inch kirpan while allowing bigger kirpans on special occasions like weddings.
However, the court has banned the families of those two “trouble makers” from visiting the gurdwara.
The Akal Takht had formed a panel to sort out the issue. Boparai and Ghuman were the members of this panel. Apart from them, Harbans Singh Dhillon, Balwinder Singh Cheema, Daljeet Singh Dhillon and Baldev Singh Grewal also made efforts in getting the ban lifted.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110119/punjab.htm#21
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 18
A local court in Rochester (USA) has lifted the ban on carrying a kirpan into the Gurdwara Sahib Rochester almost six months after it was imposed in view of some a bid by some persons to take control over the gurdwara.
Talking to The Tribune on phone from the USA, Bhupinder Singh Boparai of Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill, US, and Mukhtiar Singh Ghuman said a committee is managing the affairs of the gurdwara, which is spread over 8 acres of land, for the past 35 years. The committee comprises some Sehajdhari Sikhs. “However, two local residents began creating trouble in June last year, contending that no Sehajdhari Sikh should be at the helm of affairs and they should be given the charge of the gurdwara. They also abused the committee members in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, videos of which were also presented before the court.”
Apprehending that the duo may spell some trouble in the gurdwara, the committee had approached a local court, seeking a ban on carrying the kirpan, measuring three feet and more, inside the gurdwara. However, the court imposed the ban on the kirpan of all sizes, they added.
Boparai said the court has now lifted the ban on six-inch kirpan while allowing bigger kirpans on special occasions like weddings.
However, the court has banned the families of those two “trouble makers” from visiting the gurdwara.
The Akal Takht had formed a panel to sort out the issue. Boparai and Ghuman were the members of this panel. Apart from them, Harbans Singh Dhillon, Balwinder Singh Cheema, Daljeet Singh Dhillon and Baldev Singh Grewal also made efforts in getting the ban lifted.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110119/punjab.htm#21
