Jatinder Singh, from Smethwick, was summoned to serve as a juror at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday

But, he said, a security guard refused him entry at the court over his kirpan, the sword carried by all Sikhs.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said Mr Singh was released from his duties as there was a surplus of required jurors.

Meanwhile, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has apologised to Mr Singh.

Khalsa Sikhs carry the five Ks with them at all times, as a symbol of their faith.

These include Kesh or uncut hair; Kara which is a a steel bracelet; the Kanga, a wooden comb; Kacca or cotton underwear and the Kirpan

Mr Singh, who has served as president at Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick and as secretary general of the Sikh Council UK, said this was the second time he has been summoned for jury service, the first passing with no issue.

On this occasion, he entered the morning session with no problems, but when he tried to return to the court after lunch was pulled aside by a security guard and told he could not go in.

“The security guard said I could take [my kirpan] off and leave it with him and collect it at the end of the day,” he said.

"I felt like a child who has gone to school and taken something they shouldn’t and had it confiscated.

“To have that happen to me, I felt embarrassed, I felt discriminated against, I didn’t expect it to happen to me.”

He called for the (MoJ) to work with Sikh and other religious organisations to create easily accessible guidelines that can be provided to staff.

Dabinderjit Singh, the principal adviser to the Sikh Federation UK said it had written to Justice Minister Alex Chalk asking him to condemn the treatment of Mr Singh.

The MoJ said members of the Sikh community wishing to enter a court building could bring in a Kirpan which was not more than six inches long (15cm) and with a blade no more than five inches (12cm) in length - which Mr Singh said his was.

A spokesperson for HMCTS added: “We have apologised to Mr Singh for any distress caused and have reminded our contracted security officers of the correct steps to take to prevent this incident from happening again.”

    • ChariotwheelOP
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      161 year ago

      Do you think Sikhs across the world all walk around with “symbolic” blades just because they’re a sign of their religion?

      Yes, I do.

      But even if it was for clout, it wouldn’t change anything about it being allowed.

      You can say that you don’t think religions should have excemptions, but that’s another topic. As of this incident the excemption exists and he should be able to carry a blade according to the restrictions in there.

      • @people_are_cute
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        -181 year ago

        Yes, I do.

        Then you’re stupid.

        But even if it was for clout, it wouldn’t change anything about it being allowed.

        You can say that you don’t think religions should have excemptions, but that’s another topic. As of this incident the excemption exists and he should be able to carry a blade according to the restrictions in there.

        The job of every guard is to look out for threats. If the guard feels it is in the interest of everyone’s safety that a participant removes a literal weapon from their person before entering a place of importance, it is completely reasonable on his behalf. That the participant is feeling sentimental about it is not the guard’s fault and neither should it be.

        • @withabeard@feddit.uk
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          141 year ago

          The job of every guard is to look out for threats.

          And this “threat” has already had an exception written into the Security staffing standards. So, despite what that individual thinks, the item is not a security threat and the staff member is in the wrong.

          Apologies have been made, and training hopefully improved.

        • HeartyBeast
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          71 year ago

          The job of every guard is to look out for threats.

          The job of the security guard is also to understand UK law.

          Section 139(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 allows the wearing of the kirpan for religious reasons. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 reaffirms the right of the Sikh community to possess and supply kirpans. Section 47 of the Act provides new defences for some articles such as the kirpan and ‘katar’ (Sikh ceremonial weapon) to enable possession in private for religious reasons and to enable them to be presented.

          Unless the guy was waving it about, the security guard was simply wrong - which is why an apology was issued.

          Then you’re stupid.

          Classy./

        • @Vegasimov@reddthat.com
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          -71 year ago

          It does sound like some ‘sovereign citizen’ bollocks

          “Aha! You say I’m not allowed a weapon in a courtroom, yet I have on my person 5 items beginning with the letter K. Hence I’m allowed a knife of up to 5 inches actually Mr security guard”

          • ChariotwheelOP
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            101 year ago

            Difference being of course, that the exception actual exists in current rules opposed to most of the wank sovereign citizens make up.

            Like, he didn’t make it up on the spot, did he.

            • @HerbalGamer@lemm.ee
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              -101 year ago

              Difference being of course, that the exception actual exists in current rules

              which in itself is simply ridiculous

          • HeartyBeast
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            51 year ago

            Except, of course it is codified into English law, and therefore its the almost exact opposite of ‘sov cit bollocks’

    • @CommanderCloon@lemmy.ml
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      141 year ago

      Yes, yes they absolutely do. As a matter of fact, their religious blades regularly benefit from exceptions on bladed weapons bans, for exemple Canadian flights allow someone to board with a Kirpan, and they’re allowed on school grounds in multiple countries

      • @people_are_cute
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        -151 year ago

        How many Sikhs do you even know in real life? Where have you been to in Punjab?

    • HeartyBeast
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      81 year ago

      I think where the symbolic blade has been specifically legislated into UK law, yes UK law should pertain.

    • Zellith
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      71 year ago

      A kirpan is a mandatory Sikh article of faith. It is carried by Amritdhari (initiated) Sikhs at all times. The word “kirpan” comes from two Punjabi words: ‘Kirpa’ means an act of kindness, a favor; and ‘Aan’ means honor and self- respect. • A kirpan resembles a knife or sword.

      Took about 10 seconds to google.

      • @people_are_cute
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        -101 year ago

        Yes indeed, random Google text is more reliable than someone who literally lives in Punjab 🤦‍♂️

        • HeartyBeast
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          81 year ago

          What does living in the Punjab have to do with your knowledge of English law?

        • @ieatpillowtags@lemm.ee
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          61 year ago

          It’s hardly random and nobody cares where you live. You don’t speak for all Sikhs, and you’re clearly just a bigot anyway.