The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and a woman advocate have filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, demanding clear and uniform rules to protect the right of Sikhs to wear the ‘kirpan’- a religious symbol- especially during public events and examinations.
The petition highlights the case of advocate Armanjot Kaur, who was recently barred from entering the Rajasthan Judicial Services exam hall in Jodhpur on June 23 because she was wearing a small kirpan. Despite repeatedly explaining that the kirpan is a sacred article of faith for baptized Sikhs and protected under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, she was denied entry by a judicial officer.
Armanjot said she even approached a senior official from the Rajasthan High Court and filed a written complaint, but no help was given and she missed the exam she was fully eligible to take.
The PIL urges both the Central and state governments to frame and enforce consistent rules that respect the constitutional rights of the Sikh community. The matter is expected to be heard in court soon.
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