Scholarship News

Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – There is an ongoing debate in the public domain about the religious symbols especially a “religious sword,” called a “Kirpan” that Sikh males are expected to carry after they are baptized in the Sikh religion.

The controversy started after a fourth grade student at Bentley Elementary school was found carrying a about four inch sword on his person and first the principal allowed the boy to carry it as it was blunt and dull edged and was a religious item, however the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district later decided to ban the “Kirpan,” citing violation of local, state and federal policies against carrying weapons or items that look like weapons to school.

Since then, the Sikh bodies have jumped into fray and a few public meetings were held while the School District and the local Sikh population was striving to find a compromise over the issue.

In a written statement to the AHN, Kuldip Singh, President, United Sikhs stated, “Under the Michigan Constitution, any limitation to the free exercise of religion can only be met if a compelling governmental interest (highest threshold) is found and also if the least restrictive means are used.”

“Hence, an absolute prohibition on the kirpan would likely violate Michigan’s protection of religious freedom under the State Constitution because a complete ban would not be the least restrictive means,” Kuldip Singh added.

Earlier, Deputy Superintendent, Kenneth J. Jacobs, issued a memo that stated “until such time as a compromise is reached, any and all religious emblems that resemble a weapon are strictly prohibited.”

Looking forward to resolve the issue, the district authorities are planning on meeting the concerned Sikh community and Jacobs noted in his statement that the district valued “the right of all students to practice their religion and wear religious symbols.”

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