No blanket ban on carrying kirpans: Home dept

The Home department on Thursday said that there is no blanket ban on carrying of kirpans by Sikhs in Karnataka, as a symbol of religious faith.

A press release from the department stated that a notification dated August 28, has created apprehension in some circles that the notification prevents members of the Sikh community from carrying kirpans in Karnataka. The release states that only kirpans which are more than nine-inches-long and two-inches-wide are banned from being carried, but, does not include kirpans which are less than nine-inches-long and two-inches-wide.

“Therefore, the apprehension expressed that a blanket ban has been imposed on carrying of kirpan in Karnataka as a symbol of religious faith of Sikhs is incorrect,” the release states.