Civil aviation body allows Sikh passengers to carry 'kirpan' of specific measurement on domestic flights

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 14

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) today issued an order allowing Sikh travelers to carry 'kirpan' of a specific length and specified measure of blade on flights and airports. The concession to Sikh passengers and Sikh employees of the aviation industry has been provided only in case of Indian aircrafts operating from domestic terminals.

“Sikh passengers are permitted to carry a religious Kirpan on their person on domestic flights only. The size of the Kirpan should not exceed 9” in length (6” blade + 3” handle)”, the order read. 

The announcement comes after a Sikh employee wearing a ‘kirpan’ was stopped from performing duty at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar on Thursday last week.

The ban had stirred a row, and upset the Sikh community that termed it as an infringement of their rights. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami in a letter had urged the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia to look into the incident and immediately withdraw the rule.

The BCAS had on March 4 issued a fresh guideline in which Sikh employees wearing ‘kirpan’ were debarred from performing duty at the airports of the country. Travelers too, were not allowed to board flights if they were wearing a ‘kirpan’.

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