Kirpan is one of the integral parts of the five Sikh Kakars.
A Sikh man has claimed he was banned from a basketball game in the US for carrying a ‘kirpan’. Specifically, ‘kirpan’ is a small sword, worn in a scabbard on a belt or belt. It is an article of faith that initiated Sikhs are expected to wear at all times.
The incident took place in Sacramento, California, during a basketball game involving the NBA Sacramento Kings professional basketball team. The man named Mandeep Singh called the incident “religious discrimination” on Twitter and claimed he was denied entry because of his “kirpan.” He also shared his photos from outside the stadium and in a security room. He added that he had spoken to several people about the matter, but to no avail.
“Unfortunately experienced religious discrimination and was denied entry at the @SacramentoKings game tonight b/c Im #Sikh. Wouldn’t let me in for #kirpan. Spoke to several people in the security chain and no one seemed to understand. Been a fan since 96. Not so much anymore,” Mandeep Singh wrote on Twitter.
See the message here:
Unfortunately experiencing religious discrimination and denied entry at the @SacramentoKings game tonight b/c Im #Sikh. Wouldn’t let me in #kirpan. Spoke to several people in the security chain and no one seemed to understand. Been a fan since 96. Not so much anymore. #nbapic.twitter.com/1qG3sNzDf2
— Mandeep Singh (@Light0fMind) March 14, 2023
The tweet received mixed reactions from Twitter users.
One user said, “It will never be our country and their rules will always apply.” Another commented, “The Kings were the first NBA team to have a Sikh player on their roster and Sikh nights doubt whether they discriminate. The Kirpan is always not allowed in NBA stadiums without proper accommodation planning beforehand. This is discussed every Kings Sikh night.”
A third cited public safety reasons, saying: “I hope the kings do not discriminate on the basis of religion. I’ve seen the kings represent Sikhs with Sikh Heritage Night and I love it. I think the kings have not allowed you Kirpan for reasons of public safety, not religious discrimination.”
Kirpan is one of the integral parts of the five Sikh Kakars.
According to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website, the five symbols of the Khalsa, all of which start with the letter K, are the kesh or long hair and beard, Kangha, a comb in the kesh to keep it tidy unlike the hermits who kept it matted as a sign that they had renounced the world, Kara, a steel bracelet, Kachch, shorts, and Kirpan, a sword.
