Sikh judge Sir Mota Singh criticises banning of Kirpan

[CHR1S]

From - BBC News - Sikh judge Sir Mota Singh criticises banning of Kirpan

Ok this isnt a rant more of a WTF!!

Why cant this idiot realise that its banned because its a leathal weapon and not an attack at a persons religion??

Hes an ex-judge ffs!!

[solitaire89]

Playing devil's advocate here - how many techs carry a leatherman/swiss army? Not trolling, and not agreeing/disgreeing with the ruling - just food for thought.

[CHR1S]

But were talking about mature (ish) adults vs children here.

[solitaire89]

Sorry, I read it as being banning everyone from wearing them in schools... Sorry So what's the call with swiss army knives on D of E then (for kids)?

[Tricky_Dicky]

Surely this needs to be put into perspective a bit. We are not talking about people walking around with swords, they are small ceremonial knives and as far as I can recall(and I would be happy to be corrected) one has never been used in a knife attack in this country.
Instead of just banning everything that may be dangerous, how about we trust people until proven other wise and then properly punish those that can't be trusted.

[CHR1S]

Sorry, I read it as being banning everyone from wearing them in schools... Sorry So what's the call with swiss army knives on D of E then (for kids)?

I agree its a double edged sword (see what I did there ) My point was that for me anyway he cant see past the religious factor in an OMG thats racist kind of way

[localzuk]

It is up to individual schools to decide - the law has a defence for both public carrying of religious weaponry and for carrying such an item on school grounds also - pretty much meaning that it is legal to carry them.

However, to say that schools shouldn't be able to make policies on this is idiotic. There are schools in the UK which are in violent areas, where knife crime is a regular occurrence - to allow an exception to a ban on knives in school for this type of instrument would mean a sudden increase in people claiming to be Sikhs and these knives being used for offensive purposes. Much like there has been an increase in bank robberies by people wearing burkhas lately.

It isn't about persecuting anyone for religious reasons, its about common sense. And common sense dictates that a child carrying a knife in school is dangerous. Not because that child may use it, but because those who are more dangerous might take it and use it.

[solitaire89]

see what I did there

Hmm... Could do better

Surely this needs to be put into perspective a bit. We are not talking about people walking around with swords, they are small ceremonial knives and as far as I can recall(and I would be happy to be corrected) one has never been used in a knife attack in this country.
Instead of just banning everything that may be dangerous, how about we trust people until proven other wise and then properly punish those that can't be trusted.

I agree - but then the laws on carying knives are very mis-understood in this country.... Whether they're ceremonial, in my handbag as a "tool of the trade", or in some yob's pocket as a weapon.

[richard_s]

The thing is anything can be used as a weapon so do we ban pens, pencils rulers etc...... and what about the cutlery in the canteen?

[nicholab]

Could they not have a plastic one as it is a symbol of faith?

[solitaire89]

Could they not have a plastic one as it is a symbol of faith?

I believe not....

[Theblacksheep]

Why is religion the new top trump card?

[richard_s]

So they ban Sikh's from wearing their articles of faith then we should also ban Muslims from wearing the Hijab and the Burka and Christians from wearing a Crucifix.

[localzuk]

So they ban Sikh's from wearing their articles of faith then we should also ban Muslims from wearing the Hijab and the Burka and Christians from wearing a Crucifix.

They do in many schools - they aren't uniform, so they aren't allowed. I know most NHS trusts ban these sort of things too.

[solitaire89]

So they ban Sikh's from wearing their articles of faith then we should also ban Muslims from wearing the Hijab and the Burka and Christians from wearing a Crucifix.

Oh, hold on, haven't they already done this?!