Amritsar, Punjab (July 31, 2014): The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) has strongly criticized Ganganagar (Rajasthan) based “University of Kota” also called “Kota University” for banning an Amritdhari Sikh student from entrying the examination hall because of his Kirpan.
Sikh Kirpan – is a sword that is considered to be integral part of practice of Sikh religion.
In a statement SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said Kirpan, one of the essential articles of faith, is must for a Sikh to wear all the times, but the administration of Kota University did not allow an Amritdhari Sikh student Jagwinder Singh to enter the examination hall. He was to take part in examination for the course of “Registered Medical Practitioner” (RMP).
He said that many foreign countries have allowed Sikhs to wear Kirpan but it was unfortunate that Sikhs were being treated as ‘slaves’ in India.
“Kota University’s move has hurt the sentiments of global Sikh community”, SGPC statement reads.
Avtar Singh Makkar said that Kota University administration should withdraw it’s “Aurangzeb-style” order and allow Sikh students to take part in examination. He said that special arrangement should be made for Jagwinder Singh so that he could take part in exam that was missed because of university’s wrongful restrain. He said that if the university administration fails to act as per SGPC’s demands, legal action shall be fired against the university.