Debate in Canada to ban kirpan

TORONTO: From a small incident in Quebec the debate to ban the ceremonial dagger worn by Sikhs has landed on Canada's National stage. It all started on Jan-18 when a delegation of Sikhs was barred from entering Quebec's National Assembly after refusing to surrender their kirpans.

Safety was the official reason given by the Assembly's security service for forbidding the Sikhs to wear their kirpans. Ironically, the members of the Sikh community were trying to get in to present their views on Bill 94, anti-niqab and anti-burka legislation that would require anyone dispensing or receiving a government-paid service in places like hospitals and schools to show their faces. 

 with thanks : times of India : link above for detailed news.

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Ceremonial swords allowed in Plymouth-Canton School District

Announcement from Plymouth-Canton Community Schools :
In December we informed you of a situation at one of our elementary schools in which a student was found wearing a religious emblem that resembles a small decorative sword, called a kirpan. At the time, we told you that our attorneys were reviewing both state and federal laws, as well as Board policies with regard to the prohibition of weapons or look-a-like weapons in any of its buildings. We said we would explore options that will ensure safety and best protect the rights of all students.

After an extensive review of all laws and policies pertaining to this issue, we have developed an accommodation plan that will address the situation. While our school district is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all of our students, we must also balance the rights of students to express and practice their religion. In light of the strict scrutiny standard applied by Michigan courts in determining whether an individual’s right to freely exercise his or her religion has been violated, the District will amend its blanket restriction against wearing the kirpan in school.

Starting Monday, January 31, 2011, baptized students of the Sikh faith will be allowed to wear the kirpan at school with the following conditions:

1. Any kirpan worn at school should be sewn inside a sheath in such a way that the blade cannot be removed from the sheath.
2. The blade of the kirpan is restricted in length to no more than two and one-fourth inches. This would take the object outside the scope of the Revised School Code’s definition of a knife constituting a dangerous weapon.
3. The blade of the kirpan must be dull.
4. The kirpan should not be worn on the outside of the clothing and should not be visible in any way.
5. It will not be the practice of staff members to conduct random searches for the possession of kirpans. However, students who violate any of the above will be subject to discipline including a prohibition on wearing the kirpan to school in the future.

We have spent the past month working successfully with members of the local Sikh community to address District concerns. School officials are confident that these new administrative guidelines ensure a safe school environment and provide Sikh students the right to exercise their religion freely.

with thanks :  pccs : link above.

SikhsIndia

Closed door welcomes Jhinda

AMRITSAR(PUNJAB): In a development that might provide much fodder for strengthening the anti-SGPC stance in some quarters of Sikh community in the neighbouring state, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC) ad hoc president Jagdish singh Jhinda got a jolt when he found the gates of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)-managed Bhai Gurdas Hall locked on Saturday. Jhinda had reached here to hold a press conference.

As Jhinda and mediapersons arrived at Bhai Gurdas Hall, its gates were found to have been closed by SGPC task force. A furious Jhinda, who is also a SGPC member, entered into a heated exchange with SGPC president  Avtar Singh Makkar over phone, following which Jhinda was allowed inside. 

 

with thanks : Times of India : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Sikhs urged to celebrate March 14 as Environment Day

Washington, (IANS) An international Sikh group has appealed to all Sikh gurdwaras and institutions to celebrate March 14, the day Guru Har Rai became the 7th Sikh Guru in 1644 AD, as Sikh Environment Day.

EcoSikh said it has received confirmation of participation from many Sikh institutions in India and abroad. EcoSikh has also launched a website for gurdwaras and Sikh institutions to register their participation internationally.

Guru Har Rai is known to be a great humanitarian who had special sensitivity towards nature preservation and animal well being.

He maintained an extensive herbal garden for medicinal purposes for the benefit of the masses in Kiratpur Sahib, his birth place and his spiritual centre near Anandpur Sahib.

with thanks : sify : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Nagar Keertan - Krishna Nagar - Delhi

Nagar Keertan - Krishna Nagar - Delhi

Nagar Keertan - Krishna Nagar - Delhi

Nagar Keertan - Krishna Nagar - Delhi

Nagar Keertan - Krishna Nagar - Delhi

Nagar Keertan - Krishna Nagar - Delhi

Which is more important: Sikh Women Safety or Sikh Religious Code of Conduct?

Please comment your views regarding this major controversial issue..

Delhi Government's decision to enforce wearing of helmets by women driving or riding pillion on a two-wheeler could snowball into a controversy again.While the government is exploring ways to make necessary changes in rules to make helmets compulsory for women, leaders of Sikh organisations said they would oppose any such move tooth and nail.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee president Pramajit Singh Sarna said,"Wearing any headgear by women is prohibited in our religion, even if it is a helmet.We'll oppose any such move of the government.It has been more than 50 years since two-wheelers started plying in our country.I have not heard of women falling off scooters and dying because they were not wearing helmets".

While Traffic experts believe fatalities would come down drastically if women drivers and riders start wearing helmets.International road Federation chairman KK Kapila said,"I think Sikh organisations should be convinced by showing them statistics".

The proposal to make helmets mandatory for women had turned into a major controversy in the late 1990s too. While the Central Motor Vehicles Act had made it compulsory for anyone riding a two-wheeler to wear a protection on head, but exception were made to Sikh men wearing turbans.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sikh-organisation-to-oppose-move/Article1-655884.aspx