Kirpans in School

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that:

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

A kirpan is one of the 5 K's in the Sikh religion. Sikhs who has gone through the Amrit ceremony of initiation become Amritdhari, which means that their names are changed, and they are required to wear the 5 Ks. The 5 Ks are: Kesh, which is uncut hair, Kara, which is a type of steel bracelet, Kanga, a wooden comb, Kaccha, cotton underwear, and finally a Kirpan, which is a small sword. As you've probably guessed, it's the kirpan that causes controversy.

Let me tell you about Gurbaj Singh, a 12-year-old boy living in a suburb of Montreal. He moved to Canada in late 2001 and was excited to start school. He is a Sikh, as are the rest of the members of his family, and therefore he wears a kirpan.

On November 18, 2001, Gurbaj dropped his kirpan outside during a lunch break and another parent noticed. That afternoon, the principal of the elementary school asked him if he had a knife. He replied that he didn't, although he did have a kirpan. Gurbaj was sent home.

Although his father fought very hard for his son, explaining that the kirpan was a religious icon and not a weapon, Gurbaj was not allowed to return to school until after the winter break, on the condition that the kirpan was concealed and kept secure. A day and a half after returning to school, the principal told him that his kirpan wasn't secured tight enough and he must return home. The next morning his father secured it as tight as possible, but when Gurbaj arrived at school he and his father were told that the other "parents are afraid to send their children to school" and the principal's final decision was that Gurbaj would not be allowed to return to school if he wears his kirpan.

Gurbaj's family decided to take this matter to court. The school board provided two hours a day of tutoring, but he was still segregated from his school, simply because he practices his religion. In April 2002, a judge decided that the issue was important enough to be heard in detail in court on May 16, and they ruled that Gurbaj should be allowed back at school. Unhappy, the principal abided by this decision, and the students at Gurbaj's school have no problem with him, but every morning when he arrives at school, and every afternoon when he departs, crowds of protestors gather outside his school, shouting insults and telling him he is not welcome, until the school board holds a meeting to ask the parents to stop protesting.

Though the lower court had ruled that it was all right for Gurbaj to wear his kirpan, on March 5, the Quebec Court of Appeal stated that there was zero tolerance for knives at school and that public safety is more important then religious freedom.