World Sikh Organisation Canada rejects the modified “Italian Kirpan” proposal and urges Jathedar Akal Takht to set aside the case in toto, offering legal and logistical assistance to Sikh Italians on the Kirpan and connected religious issues.

Intervening in the case of the modified Kirpan presented by a Sikh apparently in collaboration with a government department of the Government of Italy, the World Sikh Organisation has rejected it outright and urged Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh Jathedar, Sri Akal Takhat Sahib to reject this proposal as it is fraught with serious consequences to the wearing and carrying of Kirpans not only in Italy but also in Europe and in fact the entire world.

This move was made after the 17 May ban on the Kirpan by the Italian Supreme Court on a petition by one Jatinder Singh who was told to pay a fine of Rs. 2000 for wearing the Kirpan.

In a missive to the Jathedar Akal Takht by Mukhbir Singh, the president of WSO says, that “the recent presentation by an Italian delegation led by Sukhdev Singh Kang of a “specially designed” kirpan for approval by Sri Akal Takht Sahib is simply not acceptable. Acceptance of this model will have severe and negative repercussions for Sikhs across the world.”

As mentioned in a section of the media in Italy and in India, “The kirpan presented for approval is reportedly made of a flexible material and appears to have a rounded tip and no edge. Each kirpan is to be prepared in Italy, marked with a serial number, issued to Sikhs by the government, and will be accompanied by a “license”.”

“This type of interference in the Sikhs’ right to wear the kirpan is unprecedented and unacceptable. No government has the right to “issue” a kirpan to Gursikhs and furthermore, any government alteration or interference with the shape or attributes of a kirpan is intolerable.”

WSO takes rightful umbrage at this and has said that “This type of interference in the Sikhs’ right to wear the kirpan is unprecedented and unacceptable. No government has the right to “issue” a kirpan to Gursikhs and furthermore, any government alteration or interference with the shape or attributes of a kirpan is intolerable.”  

The Italian government’s attempt to design and issue kirpans to Sikhs on the pretext that the kirpan is too much like a “weapon” is a legally flawed argument. Workers who have a “good reason” to have tools like knives or blades are permitted to carry them by the authorities, however, the Italian court has ruled that Sikhs have not established a good reason to wear the kirpan. This is a fundamentally flawed and incorrect conclusion that must be legally challenged. Accepting this decision and allowing the Italian government to interfere in the Sikhs’ right to wear the kirpan is the wrong approach and cannot be permitted.

The right to wear and carry the Kirpan has been challenged over the last century in various parts of the world, including India, UK, US, Canada, Australia, Italy and Denmark. Only Italy and Denmark have rejected the Sikh demand and are not accommodative. In all other countries Sikhs enjoy full rights to practise their faith.

“The right to wear and carry the Kirpan has been challenged over the last century in various parts of the world, including India, UK, US, Canada, Australia, Italy and Denmark. Only Italy and Denmark have rejected the Sikh demand and are not accommodative. In all other countries Sikhs enjoy full rights to practise their faith.”

However, as stated by the World Sikh Organisation in its letter to the Jathedar Akal Takht, “In Canada, Sikhs have worked towards the accommodation of the kirpan in public spaces such as hospitals, schools, courtrooms and hospitals. While agreements have included limits on size or required that the kirpan is worn underneath the clothes, no attempt to alter or regulate the shape or attributes of the kirpan has ever been accepted by Sikhs. Though the process has taken years, the kirpan is now widely accepted and accommodated in Canada.”

The WSO has offered to assist Italian Sikhs in reopening the legal case for the accommodation of the Kirpan and while doing so has categorically stated to Jathedar Sahib that, “Canadian Sikhs reject the Italian proposal to design and distribute the kirpan.”

It may be noted that as per media reports Harbinder Singh Dhaliwal, a prominent Sikh figure in Italy and editor of The Punjab Express has also expressed apprehensions about the new proposal. He has, in fact, said that in view of the non-recognition of the Sikh religion by the Italian authorities, such accommodation seems untenable.”

Notably, the SGPC, DSGMC and many other Sikh organisations have also expressed their desire to intervene and help reverse the decision of the Supreme Court of Italy.