What is a kirpan?
Controversial Sikh religious symbol in the news again
What is a kirpan?
A kirpan is a small sword, worn in a sheath on a strap or belt. It is an article of faith that initated Sikhs are supposed to wear at all times.
The word kirpan comes from two words which translate as mercy and bless. The kirpan is supposed to be a weapon of defence only.
It is usually worn under clothes. The blade is typically about 8 centimetres long, but ceremonial kirpans are the length of a standard sword. Manvir Singh, a Sikh minister of religion in the U.K., told CBC News that there is no size requirement but the kirpan cannot be so small that it is merely symbolic. And the blade must be iron or steel.
The kirpan is one of the five Ks of Sikhism.
What are the five Ks?
They are articles of faith for an initiated Sikh. There are no exceptions.
The five 'kakar' all begin with the letter 'k,' hence the name:
- kes: uncut hair
- kanga: a wooden comb worn in the hair
- kara: a metal bangle or bracelet worn on the wrist
- kachhera: loose, long underwear, about knee-length
- kirpan
Which Sikhs wear a kirpan?
The Sikh faith stipulates that from the time of baptism or initiation, Sikhs, male and female, must wear a kirpan and the other four Ks. They are known as Khalsa Sikhs and comprise an estimated 25 to 30 per cent of all Sikhs in Canada, Gian Singh Sandhu, the founding president of the World Sikh Organization of Canada, told CBC News.
A Sikh may become a Khalsa at any age.
What is the Khalsa?
In the Sikh faith the Khalsa is the army of God. It is not a conquering army, nor does the Khalsa only defend Sikhs. The Khalsa is required to defend any victims of aggression or injustice.
What are the origins of the requirement to carry a kirpan?
The requirement dates to 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru, declared that every Khalsa Sikh must wear the five Ks to symbolise their commitment to their faith.
That was a time of Mughal conquest and conversion to Islam in south Asia.
Can Sikhs change the requirement to wear a kirpan at all times?
No. Guru Gobind Singh was the last human guru and he declared the Sikh holy book, the Granth Sahib, the next guru, thereby ruling out any change.
What happens if a kirpan is used as an offensive weapon?
First of all there may be criminal charges, depending on the circumstances and applicable laws.
Among Sikhs, according to Gian Singh Sandhu, someone who misuses a kirpan would be ostracized and "looked down upon."
Manvir Singh explained that Sikhs would consider such a person an apostate. Through a formal process someone who misuses a kirpan would be declared 'tankhaiya,' and no longer an initiated Sikh.
A sikh who has broken their vow may be able to redeem themselves, however. One requirement would be to perform a stipulated amount of community service, Singh said in an interview.
How many stories since 1940 did a search of the Facts on File World News Digest for the term 'kirpan' find?
One. The story, from 2006, is about the Supreme Court of Canada's 8-0 decision that, "a Montreal school board's prohibition on Sikh ceremonial daggers in schools abridged the freedoms of orthodox followers of the religion."
CBC News has a detailed timeline on that case.