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Summary of Question:	Sikhs Are Allowed To Wear The Kirpan In Britain.
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Sunday, 6/03/2001 10:06 AM MDT

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, waheguru ji ki fateh,

A question was raised a few months ago about the legality of wearing the kirpan in Britain. The carrying of bladed articles is banned under section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 or under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953--on school premises. However subsection 4 extends the defence to provide specific defences under which paragraph (c) states "for religious reasons". Therefore Sikhs are allowed to wear the kirpan in school premises because it is a religious necessity.

In other places, a Sikh will will not be prosecuted for wearing his or her kirpan because Parliament acknowledges this religious requirement.

For more information on Parliamentary matters concerning Sikhs go to www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk

I hope this has resolved any questions or doubts.

Gurpreet Singh