Sikh Daggers Testing Schools

March 21, 2010

Author: Rachel Grunwell

Source: New Zealand Herald

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/religion-and-beliefs/news/article.cfm?c_id=301&objectid=10633303

The Human Rights Commission has been asked to clarify whether a Sikh student should be allowed to wear a ceremonial dagger to school.

The commission refused to reveal further details but said two schools had also contacted it for advice on how to handle requests to wear the daggers.

Sikh Society spokesman Daljit Singh estimates more than 50 children and a few teachers wear the daggers, called kirpans.

He has been involved in discussions about pupils at schools in Auckland, Hastings, Hamilton, Tauranga, Te Puke, Wellington and Christchurch.