NEW DELHI: The Akali Dal (Mann) President, Mr, Simranjit Singh(Mann) _ asserted the right of the Sikh MPs to take oath and participate in the Proceedings of the House with Kirpan.
In a nine page letter to the Lok Sabha speaker, Mr Rabi Ray, Mr Mann pleaded that the fundamental right of the Sikhs to wear and carry kirpans is absolute and inalienable.
Mr. Mann urged the speaker to instruct his watch and ward Staff and ensure that no unpleasantness is caused when I come to take the oath of office.
“I always wear and carry my three foot long kirpan wherever I go. While going to Parliament to take oath of office I will be carrying this,” Mr. Mann said.
“I understand it is the watch and ward staff of parliament who under some instructions of the speaker or some security officer do not allow Sikh MP’s wearing and carrying kirpans to enter Parliament.
“Our tenth Guru has enjoyed upon every Sikh to wear kirpan which is the very basis and foundation of Sikh psyche and ethos and in fact goes much deeper than what appears to the naked eye.”
Asserting the fundamental right of Sikhs to wear and carry kirpans as absolute, the Akali Dal leader said there was nothing in the rules or procedure and conduct of business in parliament, imposing any such restriction on the wearing and carrying of kirpans by Sikh MPs within Parliament. “Even if there had been, it would have been unconstitutional and ultra vires the Constitution.”
Quoting Article 25 of the Constitution, and Indian Arms Act, 1978 Mr. Mann said only the Sikhs had the right to wear and carry kirpans and this right was incorporated in the Constitution when it was framed. This right was acknowledged by the Nehru Committee (1928), as well as the Sapru committee (1945) and ultimately it culminated as a fundamental right of the Sikhs in the Constitution Mr. Mann said.
The Akali Dal leader also quoted the first Amendment to the U.S. constitution and documents of the Swiss Government and said even the legislature cannot directly or indirectly take away or abridge the fundamental right.
Five persons took oath as members of the Lok Sabha on the opening day of the Budget session.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 23, 1990
