Sikhs barred from Wearing Kirpan Departing Indian Airports

Sikh passengers departing from Indian airports are now being barred from carrying kirpans and khanda necklaces.

The ban involves Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar and Delhi International Airport.

The move has sparked concern among the global Sikh diaspora, especially UK-based Sikhs looking to return home after visiting family in India.

Followers of the Sikh faith who are fully baptised are required to follow and wear the 5 K’s of Sikhism – kesh (unshorn hair covered by a turban on the head and on any part of the body), kara (steel bangle), kanga (small wooden comb), kachera (undershorts), and a kirpan (resembles a knife/sword).

Therefore, baptised Sikhs wear a mini kirpan and kara for this purpose.

However, the khanda necklace does not fall under this requirement and is not obligatory to be worn. This is worn more as a statement of faith identity by Sikhs.

It has been reported that airport security has been telling Sikh passengers to even remove small kirpans (1-inch or less) worn as necklaces.

The FlyAmritsar Initiative (FAI) and Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM), backed by Sikh leaders and diaspora organisations, have formally raised this issue with Indian authorities.

Letters have been sent to prominent figures, urging them to address the restrictions.

Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of FAI, highlighted that the departure-specific restrictions at Indian airports have become a painful point of contention.

He said: “Many Sikh passengers travelling internationally from Amritsar and Delhi airports have reported about being forced to remove these small-size religious articles, violating their freedom to practice their faith.”

Gumtala stated that the issue is particularly frustrating for UK-based Sikhs, where such restrictions do not exist.

He added: “The letters also highlight how Sikh passengers travelling from countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, and the Netherlands face no such issues at airports abroad or when arriving in Amritsar or Delhi.

“However, upon departing from Indian airports for international flights, they are unexpectedly subjected to this treatment, leading to confusion and disappointment among Sikhs both in India and abroad.”

Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, Convener of the initiative and Joint Overseas Secretary of AVM, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the disparity in treatment.

He said: “It is disheartening that this issue arises only at Indian airports.

“Internationally, countries like the United Kingdom and Canada not only allow Sikh passengers to wear such religious articles but also permit Sikh employees to carry their kirpans on the airside with appropriate restrictions.

“Indian authorities should adopt a similar inclusive approach.”

The issue has drawn sharp criticism, with one viral video showing a distressed Sikh passenger outside airport terminals, sharing his experiences of being denied clearance for an international flight after refusing to remove their kakaar (articles of Sikh faith), including small kirpan necklaces.

These miniature kirpans, often less than an inch in size, are symbolic and differ significantly from the larger kirpans permitted on domestic flights but restricted on international departures.

The FAI and AVM have urged civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu to direct the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to revise these policies.

They also appealed to Sikh organisations, such as the SGPC, to champion the cause of Sikh passengers.

Dhillon added: “We are confident that swift intervention from the SGPC, National Commission for Minorities, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation will help safeguard the dignity and rights of Sikh passengers at airports across India.”

For UK-based Sikhs, this issue has become a stark reminder of the challenges they face when returning from a trip to India.