On July 4, 1986, four members Of the Sikh community was sentenced to 30 days in jail for a simple assault. In most cases conviction of simple assault would mean nothing more than probation or a fine. In his remarks, the sentencing judge referred to international political implications of this case and thought it necessary to impose a jail term.
The Sikh community considers the men involved in this case to be political prisoners and nothing more.
On July 4, 1986, the counsel for Mr, Joginder Singh was assured by Mr. Dennis Lemoyne, superintendent at Headingly, that Mr. Joginder Singh, a baptized Sikh would be segregated from the general jail population in order to permit him to observe his religious beliefs and in particular not to be associated with prisoners who smoke cigarettes,
At the time, Mr. Joginder Singh entered the prison; a request was made to jail officials to permit him to have his kirpan (a small ceremonial sword) with him. This request was not acceded to by the authorities. Mr. Singh took the position that as a political prisoner, and a man of conscience, he could do nothing less than to refuse all food while he was being deprived of his basic rights to practice his religion in a free and democratic society.
In this regard, representations were also made to other persons in the Corrections Department, including the minister, Mr. Muriel Smith. No positive reply, however, has been received to date.
It has also come to our attention that the assurance given by the corrections officials to Mr. Singh’s counsel on July 4, is in fact not through. Mr. Singh is not segregated and he is still with persons who smoke. As cigarette smoking is considered to be contrary to the Sikh beliefs and as this was made clear from the very beginning to the corrections officials, the Sikh community is of the opinion that the religious concerns of individuals are given lip service and nothing more.
Mr. Joginder Singh has not eaten since he entered the prison. To express their concern certain members of the Sikh community, in Winnipeg, since July 4, 1986, are also observing political fast together with Mr. Joginder Singh.
THE PRECEDENT EXISTS:
There is already a precedent in the federal penitentiaries. A man serving a jail sentence has been permitted to wear his kirpan. In a recent case, in Hamilton, Ontario, all the baptized Sikhs have been allowed to wear their kirpans while they are in custody. One wonders as to why there should be two different standards and two different laws regarding kirpan in the two regions of the same country.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 25, 1986
