"NRI Sikh Juror Reportedly Denied Access to Jury Service
Due to Kirpan, a Religious Sword"

Los Angeles, Nov 06, 2023
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

"Sikh Federation UK Calls on Justice Minister to Condemn Treatment of Singh"

NRI Jatinder Singh, said he felt "embarrassed and discriminated against" after being prevented from taking part in jury service due to his religious sword. NRI Sikh, from Smethwick, was summoned to serve as a juror at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday.

Birmingham Crown Court Faces Backlash After Refusing Sikh Juror with Kirpan. HMCTS Extends Apology to Sikh Juror Refused Entry Due to Kirpan. Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Releases Sikh Juror Mr. Singh Due to Surplus Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court.

Sikhs Proudly display the Five Ks, Emblematic Symbols of Their Faith which includes Kesh or uncut hair, Kara which is a a steel bracelet, the Kanga, a wooden comb, Kacca or cotton underwear and the Kirpan.

Sikh Juror Expresses Embarrassment and Discrimination Over Kirpan Confiscation. I felt like a child who had gone to school and taken something they shouldn't and had it confiscated. To have that happen to me, I felt embarrassed. I felt discriminated against. I didn't expect it to happen to me.

NRI Jatinnder Singh said, he adhered to MoJ guidelines for Sikh community members wishing to enter a court building, which allows bringing in a kirpan not more than six inches long and with a blade no more than five inches in length.

NRI Jatinder Singh, who has treated as president at Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick and as secretary general of the Sikh Council UK, said this was the second time he has been summoned for jury service, the first passing with no issue. On this occasion, he entered the morning session with no problems, but when he tried to return to the court after lunch was pulled aside by a security guard and told he could not go in.

"The security guard said I could take [my kirpan] off and leave it with him and collect it at the end of the day," he said. "He felt like a child who has gone to school and taken something they shouldn't and had it confiscated. To have that happen to me, he felt embarrassed, he felt discriminated against, he didn't expect it to happen to me.

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