Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

The United Kingdom government on Friday, confirmed its on-going process to amend new weapon bills to ensure that it won’t affect British Sikh’s right of the possession and supply of large kirpans or religious swords for religious reasons and also to ensure that it can be continued by British Sikh community.

Today, the offensive weapon bills 2018 has been red flagged by the House of Commons and is now moved forward to the House of Lords for further approval.

It allows possession of offensive weapons in places and public with including new restrictions over the online sale of these offensive weapons.

UK home office spokesperson on Thursday, said, “We have engaged closely with the Sikh community on the issue of kirpans. As a result, we have amended the Bill to ensure that the possession and supply of large kirpans for religious reasons can continue.”

In the recent week, the All Party Parliament Group (APPG) for British Sikhs has led a delegation to ensure that the kirpan stay exempt till the new weapon bill becomes a law to the UK home office.

Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill, chairmen of APPG said, “I am pleased to see the government amendment and look forward to seeing an accompanying set of documentation, which reflects the importance of not criminalizing the Sikh community for the sale or possession of large kirpans.”

Involving the martial art for traditional Sikh Gatka, the large kirpans are being used by the large Sikh community during their ceremonial events in gurudwaras.

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