Connecting over 25 millions NRIs worldwide
Most trusted Name in the NRI media
NRI PEOPLE- OUR NETWORK
 
 

UPDATED:

 

  • Australia, Dec. 26, 2007: Kirpans should not be allowed at schools at all, Sikh Council of Australia- Children can leave the kirpan at home and go to school, come back and wear it- safety concerns. Bawa Singh Jagdev, secretary of the council, told IANS, "Kirpans should not be allowed at schools at all. The wearer or the initiate must understand its (kirpan's) significance, utility and consequences if used for any purpose other than what it is meant for. Now the question of student wearing this kirpan in the school, does he understand the significance or its utility?"....Full Story

Australia's Victoria state allowed Sikh students to carry ‘kirpans" in Schools

 

Victoria, Australia, Dec. 06, 2007
Satnam Singh

Australia's Victorian State parliamentary committee has given the green light to carry small kirpan- a small, curved ornamental steel dagger to school by sikh students for religious reasons. But this plan or move has outrage principals and teachers. They had concerns about students carrying the kirpan - which is hidden under the school uniform

It took one year for this dicision to Victorian parliament and it ruled against making school uniforms mandatory. It is also recommended that the decision remain with individual schools. The committee also called for schools to include hats and address sun protection in their dress codes.

The committee has also allowed for Muslim students to wear hijabs or veils in the state’s classrooms.

Last year in June 2006:

The head of Victorian Association of State Secondary School Principals, Brian Burgess said:

  • Kirpans should not be allowed in schools.
  • It is potentially very dangerous and should not be brought to school
  • If it was misused, it could hurt kids. And it may not be the students that bring it to school but others who know about it and misuse it.
  • Other weapons were not allowed on school grounds and the kirpan should not be the exception.

Kerpal Singh Marne, president of Victorian Sikh Association said:

  • The kirpan was one of five articles of faith baptised Sikhs were to carry at all times.
  • It was not considered a weapon and describe it as "a blunt version of a scout knife".

Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria president Gurdarshan Singh Gill said:

  • A minority of Sikh children were baptised and carried the kirpan for religious, not violent, reasons.
  • He or she is taught to respect people of all faiths, therefore there is no reason for any concern,

The Victorian Multicultural Commission wants baptised Sikh students to have the right to carry the knives -- up to 15cm long.

Commission chairman George Lekakis said the dagger, a kirpan, was an important article of faith. Some children wore them safely under clothes.

 

 

  • The kirpan was one of five articles of faith baptised Sikhs were to carry at all times.
  • It was not considered a weapon and describe it as "a blunt version of a scout knife".