Sikh News

India: Sikh professor prevented from attending university function because of Kirpan

June 30, 2014 | By Parmjeet Singh

Indore, India (June 30, 2014): It is learnt that on Saturday (June 28) a Sikh teacher was denied entry to a convocation that was also attended by Indian President Pranab Mukharjee at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya university.

The security staff prevented a Sikh teacher, Dr Manminder Singh Saluja, from entering the venue as he was wearing a Kirpan. As a result the teacher had to left the venue and he could not attend the function.

As per media reports Dr. Manminder Singh Saluja has now sent SMS to all the university teachers, officers and even to Vice Chancellor Prof D. P. Singh complaining that the act of security personnel hurt his religious sentiments.

Dr. Saluja, an associate professor with International Institute of Professional Studies, in the SMS said: “Even being a university faculty with my ID card and invitation letter, I was denied entry into the convocation ceremony by security personnel, only because I was wearing kirpan. I’m very depressed and hurt.”

Kirpan is integral part of Sikh faith and there is a provision in Indian constitution (Article 25, Explanation 1) recognising this fact. But the security personnel insisted that Dr. Saluja could only enter the venue after leaving his Kirpan behind. On refusal to do so he was asked the leave the place.

Dr Manminder Singh Saluja said that since it was the prestigious function of his university, so he thought better leaving rather creating nuisance at the security check.

He however asked in the SMS why people from one religion are allowed to freely follow their faith and others aren’t.

He said that Indian Constitution gives him right to carry kripan and nobody could steal that right from him.

“Article 25 Right to freedom of religion says the wearing and carrying of kirpans shall be deemed to be included in the profession of the Sikh religion”.

Dr. Saluja said that he would also go to the function of vice president Hamid Ansari due in July-August wearing kripan.

“If the same thing is expected to be repeated at the time also, then it is better that I should not be invited for the function,” he stated.

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Related Topics: India, Kirpan Issue, Sikhs in India

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