Sikh lawyer denied entry to SC for carrying kirpan, alleges third grade treatment by security staff

New Delhi [India], Feb 7 (ANI): A Sikh advocate, who was denied entry to the Supreme Court for carrying a kirpan, a symbol of Sikh faith, has accused the security staff of subjecting him to a third-grade treatment.
Narrating his ordeal, Amritpal Singh Khalsa, lawyer, said that he was barred from entering the top court on Wednesday as his kirpan was bigger than the prescribed size allowed to carry inside the court premises, which the security personnel cited as a threat to the visitors.
Stating that he was subjected to mental harassment, Khalsa told ANI here on Thursday: “The Constitution has granted Sikhs the right to carry a kirpan. It is a fundamental right as per the Article 25, but the security people harassed me.”
“They gave me third grade treatment and I was made to stand for around one hour outside the courtroom. The security said that the kirpan I was carrying was a threat,” he said.
Khalsa said that when he asked the security personnel to furnish a circular or an order regarding the matter, but they failed to do so and were adamant in preventing him from entering the top court.
“Kirpan is an important symbol in Sikh religion. The security staff said the kirpan I was carrying is bigger than the prescribed size. So, I have filed an RTI seeking to know the mandatory size of the kirpan, which is allowed in the Supreme Court. How can they stop me like that? The issue is very simple. I am a Sikh by religion, and I carry a kirpan,” he said.
The Sikh lawyer said that he never faced any problems over the matter in other courts, adding that he mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
Khalsa said that he has written a letter to the CJI detailing his grievances. “The CJI has assured me that he will look into the matter,” he said. (ANI)