Sikh flyers barred from wearing kirpan-khanda at two airports, say NGOs

Sikh passengers boarding planes from Indian airports for going abroad, including Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport here and Indira Gandhi International Airport, have been barred from carrying kirpan and khanda necklaces, a key article of faith for Amritdhari (Baptised) Sikhs.

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Activists from local NGOs — FlyAmritsar Initiative (FAI) and Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM) — along with members of global Sikh diaspora, have formally raised this issue with key officials, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Sikh leaders Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, National Commission for Minorities Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Harmeet Singh Kalka and the BJP national secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa urging them to take steps for addressing these restrictions.

Sameep Singh Gumtala, convener, FlyAmritsar Initiative, along with Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, joint overseas secretary, AVM, expressed concern over reports that security personnel at Indian airports were compelling Sikh passengers to remove even small kirpans (one inch or less) worn as necklaces. “This practice has caused emotional distress and violates religious sentiments of the Sikh community,” they said.

In their letter to ministers and other authorities, they emphasised that these small miniature sized kirpans, often less than one inch in size were worn as necklaces. They were miniature in size as compared to larger kirpans permitted on domestic flights, but restricted on international flights.

“Many Sikh passengers going abroad from Amritsar and Delhi airports have reported about being forced to remove these small size religious articles, violating their freedom to practice their faith,” said Gumtala. “The letters also highlight how Sikh passengers travelling from countries such as the USA, the UK, Canada and the Netherlands face no such issues at airports abroad or when arriving at Amritsar or Delhi,” said Gumtala.

“However, upon departing from Indian airports for international destinations, they are unexpectedly subjected to this treatment, leading to confusion and disappointment among Sikhs both in India and abroad,” he said.

“It is disheartening that this issue arises only at Indian airports,” said Dhillon. “Countries like the UK and Canada not only allow Sikh passengers to wear such religious articles, but also permit Sikh employees to carry their kirpans at workplace with appropriate restrictions. We have requested the India authorities to adopt similar inclusive approach,” he said.

Recently, a video of an Amritdhari Sikh passenger went viral in which he was seen expressing frustration outside the airport terminal about being denied clearance by the security to board his international flight after he refused to remove his “kakaar” (articles of Sikh faith), specifically the small sized kirpan worn around the neck. Passengers have been reaching out to the FAI and AVM with similar concerns over the past few months.