What is kirpan used for?

Devout Sikh men wear the kirpan (a traditional small sword) as part of their religious faith. The kirpan is one of five symbols of Sikhism (the five Ks described below). Many traditional Sikhs undergo the amrit ceremony, akin to baptism, following which they are meant to wear the five Ks at all times.

Are kirpans weapons?

A kirpan is a small replica sword worn around the waist under the clothes. It represents one of the five articles of faith that devout Sikhs must always wear, and which distinguish them as Sikhs. It is regarded as a ceremonial item, not a weapon of aggression, and symbolises readiness to fight oppression.

Can a Sikh man openly carry a dagger in public?

A Sikh man was detained by a police officer for openly carrying a ceremonial dagger in public – even though he is legally allowed to carry it. The suspect, who has the kirpan in a sheath on his waist, tells the officer: ‘I’m a Sikh I can carry this if I want to.’

What is a Sikh kirpan and is it a weapon?

The Sikh kirpan is generally 8-10 centimeter long and has blunt point and edges. Avninder Gill, vice-president of a Sikh temple in Brisbane, says it’s wrong to call the Sikh kirpan a weapon. “It’s not a weapon in our culture but an article of faith,” he told SBS Punjabi.

What was the incident with the Sikh man and the police?

Sharp rise in the number of women and girls caught carrying… The man points at a bus driver and asks the officer: ‘Could you call that bus driver, he goes to my temple.’ A woman is then heard saying: ‘They are arresting him for no reason for wearing a kirpan.’ The Sikh man then walks towards the bus driver, and the officer tries to stop him.

Is it illegal to carry a kirpan in the UK?

This meant introducing an exception to the carrying of blades in public. Kirpans vary in size, but all are permitted by the Bill that received Royal ascent. So although it is illegal to be caught with a small flick knife in public, a kirpan as large as 50cm is not considered an offensive weapon under UK law.