Comment on Sikh 'barred from Birmingham jury service' for religious sword
Chariotwheel@kbin.social 8 months agoI don't think so. Simply, because there is an actual exception for this:
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.
I think the security guard made a mistake there.
people_are_cute@lemmy.sdf.org 8 months ago
Do you think Sikhs across the world all walk around with “symbolic” blades just because they’re a sign of their religion? These people only do stuff like this for clout, nothing else.
Chariotwheel@kbin.social 8 months ago
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@lemmy.sdf.org 8 months ago
Then you’re stupid.
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 8 months ago
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@kbin.social 8 months ago
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.
Classy./
Vegasimov@reddthat.com 8 months 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”
amanneedsamaid@sopuli.xyz 8 months ago
Yeah, of course what the fuck?
HeartyBeast@kbin.social 8 months ago
I think where the symbolic blade has been specifically legislated into UK law, yes UK law should pertain.
Zellith@kbin.social 8 months ago
Took about 10 seconds to google.
people_are_cute@lemmy.sdf.org 8 months ago
Yes indeed, random Google text is more reliable than someone who literally lives in Punjab 🤦♂️
HeartyBeast@kbin.social 8 months ago
What does living in the Punjab have to do with your knowledge of English law?
ieatpillowtags@lemm.ee 8 months 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.