Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 12: The District Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC) Jammu has condemned a directive of the Civil Aviation Ministry that reportedly banned the use of Kirpan while on duty at airports.
Addressing media persons here, the DGPC president, Ranjeet Singh Tohra, who was flanked by Vice President Balwinder Singh, General Secretary Surjit Singh, Treasurer Jagpal Singh, and other committee members, criticized the ban as discriminatory, stating, “This restriction within our own country is intolerable and an affront to the rights of Sikhs.”
He pointed out the irony that while many foreign countries permit the wearing of the kirpan as a Sikh religious symbol, such restrictions are enforced in India, a country where Sikhs have contributed significantly to its freedom.
General Secretary Surjit Singh emphasized that the BCAS directive is an overreach and a violation of Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which ensures freedom of religion.
Other DGPC members, including Avtar Singh and Gurmeet Singh, expressed their disappointment, questioning why the Government continues to test the Sikh community’s patience on this issue.
They recalled a similar restriction imposed by the Airport Authority of India in March 2022, which faced widespread condemnation and was swiftly revoked within a week.
The DGPC leaders collectively regarded the directive as an attack on Sikh religious freedom and called on Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu to withdraw the order.
They urged the Government to refrain from enacting policies that could harm the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
In addition, the DGPC Jammu extended an invitation to the community for the celebration of Parkash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 15, 2024, at Chand Kour Nagar, Jammu.
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