Gurbir Singh
New Zealand, Monday August 07, 2017: The New Zealand Govt. is proposing changing law around the wearing of kirpan - one of the five articles of Sikh faith- by Sikhs in public and work places.
Tallking to this journalist this morning, the list MP of the ruling government, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi said “The Prime Minister (Bill English) announced today that, if re-elected, a National-led Government will amend the Crimes Act to exempt Sikhs who carry a kirpan for religious reasons from being considered to be in possession of an offensive weapon”.
“This is a welcome announcement for the Sikh community, and will ensure that the Sikh faith is protected under the New Zealand law...(as kirpan) holds tremendous significance for practising Sikhs.”
“I have long advocated for the Sikh community, and I currently have a member’s bill in the ballot which would allow baptised Sikhs to carry kirpans in public and work places,” Bakshi added.
The proposed amendment does not change the Civil Aviation Rules governing what may be carried on board a domestic flight, and decisions around prohibited items remain questions for the CAA.
This announcement comes close on the heels of an incident late last month this year when police boarded a local bus in Auckland when a member of the public reported a passenger to be carrying a sword.
Police questioned the Sikh man, reported to be in his 20s, about his identity and according to reports, his kirpan was not confiscated and no action taken.
Kanwaljit Bakshi, however, has obtained special permission to wear Kirpan in the Parliament and on planes also.
Gurbir Singh is a New Zealand-based feature writer & journalist.
He can be reached: gurbir@journalist.com and you can like him on Facebook