DES MOINES: An interview conference of police chaplains was held recently in Des Moines, lowa. Police chaplains from all over the U.S.A., New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and British Columbia Participated, The purpose of the unusual convention was to make it cashier for police departments to deal with emergency situations without hurting any ones religious sentiments, Christians and Jews have priests and rabbis to make law enforcement officers aware of religious beliefs and practices. Dr .Kirpal Singh, a psychiatrist from Iowa, a prominent Sikh, who is a patron of The Sikh Review (India), The Sikh Courier (Great Britain), Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (Washington, D.C.), and founding member of the Sikhs Serving America Organization, had the privilege of representing the Sikh faith at the conference. Dr. Kirpal Singh, a gursikh, has a deep understanding of Sikh philosophy and its practices, He has found the Sikh way of life of immense help to him in his profession of psychiatry. At this convention, he explained the concept of death in Sikhism. He elaborated on the importance of Sikh symbols, the 5 Ks and their significance, He advised the police officers to take every possible measure to keep _ the hair of a Sikh intact, and not to cut it except in a life-threatening situation where surgery must be performed. Dr. Singh brought to their attention that the crown of a Sikh in his turban, and that a Sikh should not be asked publicly to remove his turban. To do so is to insult him, humiliate him, even to provoke him, Dr, Singh explained. He also pointed out that most Americans are not aware of the great importance the kirpan has in the life of a baptized Sikh. He emphasized that a kirpan is not a weapon of offense but is rather an emblem of courage, freedom, and self-defense. It is a symbol of his/ her ever-readiness to sacrifice self for Truth and Honor, Because people are ignorant regarding its intrinsic importance, Dr. Singh pointed out, some can be very apprehensive about the intentions of the person wearing a kirpan. On the issues of post mortem and organ donation he informed the participants that Sikhism scansions these procedures to advance human knowledge and alleviate suffering, but that the concerned family’s approval is required in these situations.
He advised police officers to contact gurdwaras in their localities to invite Sikh speakers to address local police groups for more information, He also cited the example of the Canadian R.C.M.P. who have recruited turbaned Sikhs for their force, and stated that legislators can be persuaded to formulate policies to accommodate diversified groups of people in law enforcement in this country as well,
Dr. Singh suggested that gurdwaras can also take the initiative to invite law enforcement authorities to their respective congregations and apprise them of our customs, traditions, and faith symbols. He advised that it would be to the benefit of Sikhs to create interest and awareness among the people with whom we live; while preserving our distinct identity we should be a part of the mainstream and not a mere spectacle.
Dr.Kirpal Singhs persistent efforts have resulted in the addition of Sikhism to the curriculum of World History and World Culture at the state of Iowa School of Education. He contacted the Department of Social Studies there and brought to their attention the contributions of naturalized Sikh citizens to North America.
We are proud and honored that a gursikh of such high caliber has made this breakthrough for us. It is a starting point and we can follow his lead and knock on many doors now closed.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 11, 1992
