"It looks like a concealed weapon."
A mum is calling for a law change after a staff member reportedly wore a kirpan inside a Cheshire school.
Gemma Beech said she was alarmed to learn a kirpan had been worn by a staff member at Congleton High School.
A kirpan is a ceremonial blade worn by practising Sikhs to symbolise their duty to oppose injustice.
She said: “At the minute, knife crime is a very big issue. So for kids to be unexpectedly exposed to things like this at the school seems inappropriate to me.
“I did not know that wearing these items is allowed in a school setting.”
The school said the kirpan is protected under the Equality Act 2010, and confirmed it has worked with parents and local Sikh leaders to promote understanding.
Gemma has launched a petition, signed by dozens of people, calling for a review of the current law.
She said: “I don’t want people to get the wrong idea, I’ve got lots of respect for Sikhs and other communities.
“I’m just concerned as a parent that kids could be getting scared or getting the wrong idea. I know lots of other parents agree with me too.
“Think of how that could look to a child who doesn’t know better. It looks like a concealed weapon.
“They’ve spotted it unexpectedly without any warning. It must have been terrifying for them. If it was me, I would have been terrified myself.”
UK law currently allows the wearing of kirpans in schools as part of religious freedom. However, Gemma wants this reviewed.
She said: “We don’t have a big Sikh community around the area so it’s not an everyday occurrence for children. They don’t know what they’re dealing with.
“The school did take steps to address the situation and explain things to the children and I appreciate that.
“I also understand that it is a religious artefact which is an important symbol in their religion.
“But I just don’t understand why they have to be worn in schools.
“I know children are taught about these things but I don’t think they can quite distinguish between someone wearing a knife for a religious reason or wearing it as a concealed weapon.
“It’s the law so I know I haven’t got a leg to stand on when I argue my case.
“But that’s why I’ve started this petition to try to change it. I’d like parents to be aware.”
A Congleton High School spokesperson said:
“We endeavour to work closely with our school community to support religious practices as much as possible.”
“We very much understand that wearing the kirpan is an important part of the Sikh religion and is protected under the Equality Act 2010.
“We have engaged directly with parents to provide reassurance and information on the practice, and we remain committed to educating our students about different faiths and cultures.
“We are also working with local Sikh community leaders to provide further educational opportunities to enhance understanding.
“As always, our priority remains the safety, education and well-being of our school community.”
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