Over Seas

Sikh Coalition creates “Know Your Rights” handout about the New Federal Kirpan Policy in US

October 2, 2013 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

New York, US (October 02, 2013): The Sikh Coalition has created a “Know Your Rights” document explaining the US federal government’s new policy allowing for greater accommodation of Sikh kirpans in most federal buildings. The federal government implemented this policy on December 10, 2012, and made it public in February of 2013.

“We believe that the new policy was created in response to a lawsuit brought by Kawaljeet Kaur Tagore, a former federal employee who was fired for wearing her kirpan to work” reads a statement by the Sikh Coalition.

As per information the policy applies to the 9,000+ federal facilities secured by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service (FPS). It is being considered as a major step forward for the Sikhs in US with respect to kirpan rights. It is expected that this policy will encourage greater accommodation of kirpans across the country throughout both the public and private sectors.

The Policy:

Federal law generally bars the entry of what it considers “weapons” into federal facilities. However, the new FPS policy acknowledges that civil rights laws may mandate the entry of certain seemingly prohibited items – like kirpans – into federal government buildings.

Previously, federal law barred the entry of knives with blade lengths of 2.5 inches or greater – including kirpans – into federal facilities.

Under the new policy:

• Sikhs carrying kirpans with blades of less than 2.5 inches will, in most instances, continue to be allowed entry into FPS-secured buildings with their kirpans.
• Sikhs carrying kirpans with blades 2.5 inches or greater may request an exception (temporary) or exemption (permanent) to enter FPS-secured buildings with their kirpans. The granting of an accommodation is discretionary.
• Sikhs initially denied entry with their kirpans will have an opportunity to appeal the decision to FPS headquarters.

The Sikh Coalition has created a “Know Your Rights” document in both English and Punjabi that explains the policy in detail, as well as the process for Sikhs to request entry into a federal facility with their kirpans.

The Sikh Coalition has recommend that kirpan-wearing Sikhs print out, review, and keep a copy of this “Know Your Rights” document if they plan to visit a federal facility.

Background on the Policy’s Origins:

In a statement the Sikh Coalition has siad: “We believe that FPS wrote and implemented the accommodation policy in response to a groundbreaking lawsuit brought by former federal employee Kawaljit Kaur Tagore. After she took amrit and began wearing a kirpan with a blade longer than 2.5 inches (the federal limit), Ms. Tagore was barred from her federal workplace and ultimately fired from her job. Represented at the time by the Sikh Coalition, Ms. Tagore filed a lawsuit in federal court in 2009 against the federal government. Ms. Tagore is currently represented by private counsel and her lawsuit is pending before a federal appellate court. Even though her suit is still pending, the federal government has changed its prohibited items policy to better accommodate Sikhs who carry kirpans”.

Implementation:

Whether Sikhs will be granted accommodations to wear their kirpans into federal buildings may differ facility by facility. The Sikh Coalitions has urged the people (Sikhs) to report to it that whether they have been allowed to enter federal facilities with their kirpans.

Tweet

---

To Get Sikh Siyasat News Alerts via WhatsApp:

(1) Save Our WhatsApp Number 0091-855-606-7689 to your phone contacts; and
(2) Send us Your Name via WhatsApp. Click Here to Send WhatsApp Message Now.

Sikh Siyasat is on Telegram Now. Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

---

Related Topics: Kirpan, Kirpan Issue, Sikh Identity, Sikhs in United States, The Sikh Coalition

Leave a Reply