Sikh man allowed to wear kirpan to workplace in UK

A British Sikh man, working at aninternational telecom firm in the UK, has been givenpermission to wear kirpan to the workplace after initiallybeing refused.

The Sikh Council, among the largest representative bodiesfor the Sikhs in the UK, had intervened on behalf of theunnamed worker to explain the Sikh articles of faith followingwhich the employer conceded and has since adopted a policypermitting the individual to wear his kirpan in the workplace.

"It is unfortunate that cases such as these still occurtoo often for our liking, especially in large multi-nationalorganisations. However, we are pleased with the outcomes inthese cases, which has meant these Sikhs are now able topractice their faith whilst at work," said Jagtar Singh,secretary-general elect of the council.

"Case work like this is a regular feature of the work of Sikh Council UK and we frequently receive queries seeking ourassistance in such matters. Subject to capacity we of courseseek to assist any Sikh who faces any issues at work orelsewhere in connection with their articles of faith. If any Sikh is facing any such problems they are requested to get in touch with us without delay," he added.

The individual in question had taken the decision to become an Amritdhari, or an initiated/baptised Sikh, and asper the mandatory Sikh code of conduct was required to carry the five articles of Sikh faith, or the 5 Ks, on his person at all times? kirpan, kada, kanga, kesh and kachera.

He informed his employer of the circumstances following which his employer had initially refused consent.

The council claims this was the second such case in recent times where it successfully intervened in connection with the wearing the kirpan in the workplace.

The other case involved two Sikh employees initially being stopped for wearing kirpans at a large international airport based in south-east England. 

The airport has now adopted a policy around the wearing of the kirpan by employees in the workplace in consultation with the Sikh Council UK.