Melbourne – According to some unconfirmed reports, Sikh Cricket fans who wear kirpans, may be refused entry to watch India-Pakistan cricket match at the Adelaide Oval this Saturday.
According to information by Sikh Services Australia Representative, Harvinder Singh Garcha has advised that he has expressed this concern with Commissioner of Police in Adelaide against this ban and that Sikh community is not happy with it. However the Commissioner has advised that the ban has not been imposed by the police but by the ICICI World Cup Council.
Please note that at this stage, we don’t have any official statements from ICC or the security agencies that are looking after the cricket matches.
According to available sources, it has been negotiated that some volunteers will stand outside the Cricket stadium to collect kirpans (article of faith) from the Amritdhari Sikhs before letting them enter inside the stadium.
There are also rumors that the ban is happening because of Amitabh Bachhan’s entry as a debut commentator to ICICI World Cup 2015 in Adelaide. It is to be advised that during previous visit of Amitabh Bachhan, Sikh Community held protests against him in Melbourne.
It is to be noticed that for an Amritdhari Sikh, Kirpan is a body part, is a limb of a Sikh. It is always on our body, we wash with it, we clothe ourselves everyday, we go everywhere with our Kirpan that is how much respect we give it to our Kirpan.
Sikh community will be largely hurt if they are denied entry for wearing kirpan.
Sikh Community is requested to share any such discrimination if they across it. We also urge the Sikh community to stand together over this issue and let the Australian Govt know that our kirpan is known to symbolize pride and self-reliance, as well as the willingness to defend the weak and the oppressed.
Here are some links for Kirpan Regulations in various states in Australia:
This the Document that You may require for your information regarding kirpans in Victoria
Kiprans in Victoria-Government-Gazette-G-28-9-July-2009
The Documents and Information regarding Kirpans in New South Wales.
Information and Laws for Kirpans in New South Wales
The Documents and Information regarding Kirpans in Western Australia
WESTERN AUSTRALIA KIRPAN REGULATION
The Documents and Information regarding Kirpans in Queensland
qps_information_regarding_the_kirpan
The Documents and Information regarding Kirpans in South Australia
SA-Kirpaan
Do you have any more info on this issue – Pls email us at info@singhstation.net