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Summary of Question:	Kirpan In Prison Workplace
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 4/25/2006 7:54 PM MDT

dear sir,

Wahgeguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
i work as a prison officer in NEW SOUTH WALES (AUSTRALIA) deptt of prisons. i am not an amritdhari sikh but some of my fellow officers are. the deptt has come up with a no weapons policy in the prisons. the only weapons are on the watch towers, but we cant be on the towers all the time. keepng in mind our religious requirements the deptt has given permission to wear a non metallic 2 inch long replica. keeping in mind the numerous riots and assaults in AUSTRALIAN prisons, the departments requirement seems justified as the criminals can actually take an officer hostage and use the kirpan as a weapon(as in the case of airplanes). i would like to know the openion of the moderators and elders on this issue. can you guide us and let us know if we should remove the kirpans and wear a replica before entering the prisons.

thanx for your time
manmeet

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reply
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Sat nam. This is appropriate. Better a wooden replica than the real thing, which could endanger the wearer and prisoners alike. I think this is an appropriate compromise on behalf of the Australian prison authorities, who have prison operations regulations to balance against religious expression.
-DKK