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Pacific Our Kirpan Is Not A Weapon

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1947-2014 (Archived)
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Jun 17, 2004
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Sikhs play down school knife fears
Daniel Hurst

Queensland parents should not be concerned by the prospect of Sikh students carrying ornamental swords to school, one religious leader says.

The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commission has raised concerns over planned changes to weapons laws which will explicitly forbid school students from carrying knives for religious reasons.

Although baptised Sikhs will be allowed to carry a small kirpan, a traditional blunted sword, in public places under a religious exception to the weapons laws, the allowance does not extend to schools.

Sikh Council of Australia president Ajmer Singh Gill said the kirpan, worn underneath the clothing, was symbolic and did not necessarily have sharp edges.

“It is not a dagger; it is not a weapon and it is worn by all baptised Sikhs,” he said.

The head of the New South Wales-based organisation said it was rare but possible for school children to be mature enough to be ordained and to wear a kirpan.

“Parents should have no worries and fears,” he said.

“The numbers are so small and if they're not mature they [would not] be ordained.

“I believe it is irrational fear on the part of the government because no incidents [involving kirpans] have occurred anywhere in Australia that I'm aware of.”

Ranjit Singh, president of the Brisbane Sikh Temple at Eight Mile Plains, said it was more typical for someone in their late teens or early university years to fulfil the requirements to wear the kirpan.

He said his community had been working very closely with the police service and the state government on the weapons act issues.

Mr Singh, whose temple has between 1500 and 3000 registered families, said he was pleased with the wording allowing kirpans to be carried in public places.

“But in regard to the schools, I think it needs further discussion,” he said.
Mr Singh said the kirpan, when described as a dagger, sounded like a “very offensive type of weapon”, but it was a basic article of faith for Sikhs and represented “mercy and honour”.

“In most cases the person is a very responsible person; I believe most of the people who wear the kirpan fully understand the religious significance of it,” he said.

“For it to be brandished around, I'd be very surprised – that's not a situation that would occur.

“It's not a scenario where little kids would be running around with them.”
Mr Singh said he fully appreciated and understood that children's safety was very important.

Police Minister Neil Roberts last night stood by the ban on kirpans in schools.
“The bill I introduced into the Parliament recently amends the Weapons Act to clarify that a person may physically possess a knife in a public place for a genuine religious purpose,” he said.

“The example used in the bill is the Sikh religion, which requires baptised members to carry a small blunted knife – known as a kirpan – that is worn underneath the person's clothing.

“However, this amendment will not extend to the physical possession of a knife in a school.

“The safety and welfare of our children is paramount and therefore the Bill excludes the possession of any type of knife on school grounds.”
Opposition police spokesman John-Paul Langbroek said his instinct was to support the minister's position on this issue.

Civil libertarian Terry O'Gorman said the matter was one of religious rights versus public safety.

“If there is to be a tension or a contest between the religious rights of Sikhs, particularly in a school as opposed to a religious environment, and the law of the land dealing with public safety issues, the law of the land should take precedence,” he said.

In a submission tabled in Parliament yesterday, Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Kevin {censored}s argued the government had provided no evidence any school attacks had involved a kirpan or other religious knife.

“This [bill] has the effect of discriminating against students, teachers, contractors and members of the school community who are of a religion that requires the carrying a knife, such as the Sikh religion,” Mr {censored}s said.
“It means that people of the Sikh religion cannot be teachers, or perform other work, or attend schools in Queensland, unless they compromise their religion.”

The Scrutiny of Legislation Committee invited the minister to provide more information on whether the wording of the bill “would have sufficient regard to rights of individuals to freedom of belief and religion”.

According to explanatory notes accompanying the proposed bill, Education Queensland policies already ban students from bringing knives or weapons to school.


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...knife-fears-20110523-1f0gu.html#ixzz1NDbvnBf7
 

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Kellysingh

SPNer
Sep 28, 2011
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is there any specific style for the kirpan? i used a bladed dagger with a copper sheath and homemade gutra. That what i use for my kirpan. i was wondering if it was ok because i was arrested for ccw (carryin concealed weapon) even though my kirpan was in clear view and was in no way used in menacing manner. it was sheathed and at my side. i told police it was my kirpan and one of my articles of faith as a sikh. anyone else have this problem?
 

Seeker9

Cleverness is not wisdom
SPNer
May 2, 2010
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If it is not sharp there should be no problem.

After all, someone could hurt someone else with a decent sized metal crucifix

Furthermore, as a Scotsman, I have worn the full highland garb on several occasions which includes a ceremonial knife tucked in your sock and is highly visible

The one I own has a metal blade around 5 inches long....

So there is a precedent elsewhere for wearing a knife ...
 

Harry Haller

Panga Master
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Jan 31, 2011
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Kellysinghji

My dad does not have this problem as his Kirpan is a small steel symbol integrated into his Kanga.

I am sorry to be blunt, but you remind me of those people that go round the cities pretending to be superheros.

Please try and remember there is more to being a sikh than sporting the 5 k's, you may also note the title of this thread, "Our Kirpan Is not a Weapon", yet you have chosen an extremely weapon like Kirpan, I would beg you to take heed of Ishna Bhenji's suggestions and try and cultivate your inner sikhi before passing yourself off as a sikh, as you may end up dragging the image and appearance of Sikhism into the mud.
 

Kellysingh

SPNer
Sep 28, 2011
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im srry but that sounded bit judgemental. there are no guide to how kirpan is. but it can be sharp to dull. some ppl carry sword types. my kirpan may been sharp but that is ok. u forget each sikh kirpan is different. u say drag sikhism through mud?? i may still be new but im not dumb. i recognize what each of 5k stand for. and there meanings as religous items i take to heart. dont judge me. my kirpan is NOT a weapon. ty.
 

Joginder Singh Foley

Writer
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Jan 26, 2008
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Stoke On Trent
WJKKWJKF Sat Siri Akal

How many kids have been killed by cars, how many kids have been killed by gangs, How many kids have been killed by ODing on illicit drugs, How many kids have been killed by Sikh kids with Kirpans. But goaded by mindless paraniod media We will hit the Sikh kids and their Kirpans because we cant hit the real targets but Sikhs are high visable targets so we will go after them and make it look as though we are on top of knife crime....Yawn


:happysingh:
 

Harry Haller

Panga Master
SPNer
Jan 31, 2011
5,769
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im srry but that sounded bit judgemental. there are no guide to how kirpan is. but it can be sharp to dull. some ppl carry sword types. my kirpan may been sharp but that is ok. u forget each sikh kirpan is different. u say drag sikhism through mud?? i may still be new but im not dumb. i recognize what each of 5k stand for. and there meanings as religous items i take to heart. dont judge me. my kirpan is NOT a weapon. ty.

Kellyji,

I apologize for judging you, and I also apologize for my harshness.

What I will not apologize for is my perception that you are concentrating more on looking like a sikh than acting like one. On the one hand, such enthusiasm is heartening, commendable and should be encouraged, one the other hand, without the spiritual knowledge inside you, you risk becoming an empty shell.

I do not wear any of the 5 K's, not even the Kara, I do not consider myself worthy enough to even contemplate having them about my person, but that is only my own opinion, we are all different, however, when I see a Sikh, in full turban, beard, Kara, etc, and I talk to him, and discover that his faith is based on ritual and superstition, and discover he is not a sikh at all, it disappoints me hugely.
We are all different, I guess you have to follow your path, just as I follow mine, good luck and thank you for bringing my judgementalism to my attention

animatedkhanda1
 

Kellysingh

SPNer
Sep 28, 2011
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m1362.jpg
this is the kirpan i carry. or used to carry. and as i researched i learned that there is no set look or type for kirpans. anyone agree/disagree? this is one i got ccw with. to me it not a weapon to me. it my kirpan, one of my 5k. i did order a new one but it smaller and is only 5". just wanted opinions.
 

Ambarsaria

ੴ / Ik▫oaʼnkār
Writer
SPNer
Dec 21, 2010
3,384
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m1362.jpg
this is the kirpan i carry. or used to carry. and as i researched i learned that there is no set look or type for kirpans. anyone agree/disagree? this is one i got ccw with. to me it not a weapon to me. it my kirpan, one of my 5k. i did order a new one but it smaller and is only 5". just wanted opinions.
The following more how it is understood,

3439677514_feae1a7eba.jpg


Sat Sri Akal.
 

Tejwant Singh

Mentor
Writer
SPNer
Jun 30, 2004
5,028
7,188
Henderson, NV.
m1362.jpg
this is the kirpan i carry. or used to carry. and as i researched i learned that there is no set look or type for kirpans. anyone agree/disagree? this is one i got ccw with. to me it not a weapon to me. it my kirpan, one of my 5k. i did order a new one but it smaller and is only 5". just wanted opinions.

Kelly Singh,

Guru Fateh,

Pardon my bluntness, despite flaunting your enthusiasm about having 5k's- the revered and important articles of faith of Sikhi- I am glad you got arrested with that cheap imitation of Mongolian dagger made in some Chinese prison. It is degrading on your part to call it a Kirpan, and your ignorance about Sikhi and its tenets & values that you refuse to learn about has put a lot more Ik Ong Kaar loving Sikhs in danger in the area where you live.

Sikhi is not a game which you have tried to play. Learn about Sikhi first. We will help you here with that, but please do not degrade Sikhi with your insulting shenanigans.

Ignorance is not a bliss in this case.
 

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