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Prosecutors Drop Criminal Charges Against California Sikh
03/28/2008
Hayward, California (March 27, 2008) - Prosecutors in Alameda County, California decided to drop criminal charges against Maninder Singh, a Sikh who was arrested for carrying his kirpan. The charges were dismissed as a result of a collaborative effort between the Sikh Coalition and Singh's defense attorney.
The Coalition has now successfully assisted in defending over twenty Sikhs from criminal prosecution for carrying the kirpan.
Arrested For Practicing His Faith
College student Maninder Singh, an amritdhari (initiated) Sikh, enjoys riding his motorcycle along California's roads. Several of his friends also own motorcycles, and they often go riding together.
On December 24, 2007, Maninder Singh was out riding his motorbike with a cousin and a friend. Police officers pulled him over for not having a license plate attached to the back of his motorcycle. During the course of the traffic stop, police discovered that he was carrying a kirpan. The officers refused to listen to Maninder's attempts to explain that his kirpan was an article of faith; instead, they arrested him. He was charged with carrying a concealed dagger.
Maninder's Defense Attorney Requests the Sikh Coalition's Assistance
On January 28, 2008, Maninder's defense attorney, Kathleen Guneratne, contacted the Sikh Coalition to obtain assistance fighting the weapons charge. That week, the Sikh Coalition's staff attorney supplied a letter to the prosecutor, along with a twenty-plus page compilation of precedent and policy recognizing a Sikh's right to carry the kirpan. According to Ms. Guneratne, the Sikh Coalition's letter made all the difference. In February of 2008, Alameda County District Attorney's Office decided to drop the criminal charges.
The Sikh Coalition urges all Sikhs to practice their faith fearlessly. If someone tells you to remove your articles of faith, please report the incident at http://www.sikhcoalition.org/ListReports.asp.
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