Sikh employees, passengers can carry Kirpan at airports

New Delhi: The Central government on Monday has revoked the order banning Sikh employees and passengers from carrying kirpan at the airports.

Taking to Twitter, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has allowed Sikh employees to carry kirpan at the airport during their duty.

“The corrigendum removed the objectionable restriction. Employees (& passengers) can carry Kirpan at Indian airports,” Sirsa tweeted.

“The length of the blade of kirpan carried by a Sikh passenger should not exceed 15.24 cms (6 inches), and the total length of a kirpan must not exceed 22.86 cms (9 inches),” said the copy of the order shared by Sirsa.

Thanking @PMOIndia & @JM_Scindia Ji for swift action on changing the order order of @MoCA_GoI restricting Sikh Employees from carrying kirpan at airport during duty.
The corrigendum removed objectionable restriction. Employees (& passengers) can carry Kripan at Indian airports pic.twitter.com/lfgCHQMrMW

— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) March 14, 2022

However as per the order by Jaideep Prasad, Director General, BCAS, the Kirpan is allowed while travelling by air on Indian aircraft within India (domestic routes of full domestic flights only).

Kirpan may be carried by a Sikh pax,on his person, provided length of blade doesn’t exceed 15.24 cms & total length of Kirpan doesn’t exceed 22.86 cms. Allowed while traveling on Indian aircraft within India operating from Domestic Terminals only:Bureau of Civil Aviation Security pic.twitter.com/NZXAyqs3Up

— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2022

“It is (Kirpan) is allowed while travelling by air on Indian aircraft within India (domestic routes of full domestic flights only),” the order stated.