AMRITSAR: The Indian government has withdrawn an order barring Sikh workers from carrying out their duties with kirpans at the country's airports.
A notification was issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India prohibiting Amritdhari Sikh employees from carrying kirpans on duty at airports across the country, which was strongly noted by the SGPC.
Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee(SGPC), had written a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Yotiraditya Scindia on March 9 expressing strong objection, saying that it was a direct attack on the religious freedom of Sikhs and therefore the notification should be withdrawn immediately.
Regarding the amendment order issued by the Government of India, Advocate Dhami said that although it is a good idea to amend the circular, the Government of India should have thought before issuing such notification.
He said that Sikhs have always fought and given martyrs for India and the governments should never forget that the culture of the country is alive only because of the sacrifices of Sikhs. Advocate Dhami called on the Government of India to take care not to offend the religious sentiments of people of any religion, including Sikhs, and to ensure that every citizen of the country has the right to religious freedom. .