Italian court upholds ban on Sikhs carrying Kirpan

ITALY—The Italian Supreme Court has ruled against a Sikh migrant who wanted to carry a kirpan in public.

It said that migrants who choose to live in Italy must respect Italian laws prohibiting the carrying of weapons even though many Sikhs regard the kirpan as sacred.

The court acknowledged that diversity in a multi-ethnic society is important.

But it ruled that public safety from weapons was of paramount importance and superseded an individual’s rights.

The Sikh man in the case was appealing against another court’s decision ordering him to pay a €2,000 fine (£1,700; $2,195) because he had been caught leaving his home in Goito, northern Italy, armed with a knife measuring nearly 20cm (7.8in), Italian media reported.

The man had argued that his knife (or kirpan), as well as his turban, were symbols of his religion and wearing them was part of his religious duty.

But the court in Rome ruled that migrants must ensure that their beliefs are legally compatible with host countries.

“[While] the multi-ethnic society is a necessity, public safety is an asset to be protected,” the court ruled.

Orthodox Sikhs have been required to carry kirpans since the 17th century, and insist it is not a weapon.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Does the reporter of this story have the information of the accused brother regarding this matter. I would like to suggest for our brothers and sisters at Sikh 24 initiate a GoFundMe page so we may help this brother out with the fine and any legal expenses he may occur. If someone else starts it, I would not want it to be misconstrued as an attempt to collect money for other means, it should be strictly for this incident. Even though I do understand that laws are made to protect people, I do strongly feel some discretion should be observed in this incident. However, I do not have enough knowledge of Italian laws and if there was specifications made regarding the size of the kirpan that is permitted. Sure the spirit of the law should have been practiced here than the letter of the law.

  2. Agreed – but we are all parted and not united – however we still need to resolve the problems faced by Sikhs all over. India the most corrupt country is setting a bad example of the Sikhs. Let us unite as the said above organise at international lever and appeal to the world.

  3. We have to organise at international level and appeal to world court so that our religion is understood by everyone.This will save us from day to day embarrassment which is happening all over world including India.

    • ਸਾਡੇ ਟਕਸਾਲਆ ਦਾ ਦਿਮਾਗ ਖ਼ਰਾਬ ਹੈ ਜੇਡੇ ਕਿਰਪਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਤਾਲਬਾਰ ਬਣਾ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹੈ ਸਾਡੇ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਜਆਓ ਕਿਰਪਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਤਾਲਬਾਰ ਵਿਚ ਜਮੀਨ ਅਸਮਾਨ ਦਾ ਫਰਕ ਹੈ
      ਸਾਡੇ ਗ਼ਲਤੀ ਹੈ ਇਕ ਤਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਮੀਗ੍ਰੈਂਟਸ ਹਾਂ ਫੇਰ ਭੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਹਮਲੇ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਹ ਭੀ ਗੁਰਦਵਾਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਜਿਮੇ ਮੈ ਸਬ ਤੋਂ ਸਮਜਧਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਭੀ ਵੱਡਾ ਹਾਂ

      • Kuljit Singh, This is not true. Keep in mind that the kirpan was a full lenth shastar that was shortened when the british came and occupied india. The actual kirpan given by the guru is longer or as you put it a ‘talwar’.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here