Kirpan Controversies

Prosecutor Drops Charges Against Sikh Arrested for Wearing a Kirpan

July 7, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: UNITED SIKHS Press Release

http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-07-07-2008-00.htm

The prosecution dropped charges against 47 year old truck driver, Sachdev Singh, for wearing a kirpan (a blade that is carried by Sikhs as an article of faith), after meeting him with UNITED SIKHS attorney, Jaspreet Singh, at the State of Connecticut Superior Court earlier today.

Jaspreet Singh said, "...

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Prosecutors Drop Criminal Charges Against California Sikh

March 28, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Sikh Network

http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/news.nsf/NewsArchive/7B9173C01C547C978725741A0066628D

Prosecutors in Alameda County, California decided to drop criminal charges against Maninder Singh, a Sikh who was arrested for carrying his kirpan. The charges were dismissed as a result of a collaborative effort between the Sikh Coalition and Singh's defense attorney.

The Coalition...

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US Nursing Home Sued for Firing Sikh Employee over Kirpan

March 7, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Hindu

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200803071654.htm

One of the largest nursing home chains in the US has been sued for firing a Sikh employee, who refused to remove her kirpan while on duty, allegedly in violation of federal laws.

Baljit Kaur Bhandal, a dietary aide employed at a Manor Care Health Services in California, was given an ultimatum by the company to remove her kirpan - a...

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Kirpan Barred, so Sikh Group to Skip Meeting with Pope

March 1, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Thaiindian News (IANS)

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/kirpan-barred-so-sikh-group-to-skip-meeting-with-pope_10022976.html

A Sikh organisation in the US will skip a scheduled meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Washington, DC, next month because its representatives have been been asked not to carry kirpans to the event. The World Sikh Council -...

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Sikh with Kirpan Denied Court Access

January 16, 2008

Author: Daryl Slade

Source: The Vancouver Sun/Canwest

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=4a0dffbc-17f2-4bae-9682-a1c07a2d5a52

A security sheriff was just doing his job when he told a Sikh man on Monday he could not take his ceremonial dagger with him into a Calgary court building, says the spokesman for Alberta's solicitor-general.

"Anything that would not be allowed on an airplane...

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World Sikh Organization of Canada: Banning of Kirpans in Courthouses Unacceptable

January 16, 2008

Author: Press Release

Source: MarketWire/World Sikh Organization of Canada Inc.

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=811121

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is very concerned that Tejinder Singh Sidhu was denied entry into the Calgary Courthouse because of his wearing of the kirpan. Mr. Sidhu had been subpoenaed to testify as a witness but was denied the opportunity to fulfill his civic duty because of a prohibition on the kirpan....

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Sikh Students Allowed to Carry Kirpan to Schools in Australia

December 6, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians_Abroad/Sikh_students_allowed_to_carry_kirpan_to_schools_in_Australia/articleshow/2599452.cms

Sikh students would be allowed to carry kirpans or small daggers to school following a recommendation by a parliamentary committee in Australia's Victoria state but the move has outraged...

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Australian Panel's Nod to Kirpans in School Sparks Debate

June 11, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians_Overseas/Australian_panels_nod_to_kirpans_in_school_sparks_debate/articleshow/2114138.cms

SYDNEY: A multicultural commission's view that Sikh schoolchildren have the right to carry the ‘kirpan’ - the dagger that is among the five items of faith that Sikhs are supposed to...

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