Punjab E News: Senior Akali leader Sukhminder Singh Rajpal has condemned the Rajasthan High Court recruitment authorities for allegedly denying entry to a Sikh girl during the civil judge examination due to her wearing the kirpan and kara—two of the five religious articles of faith (Kakaars) mandatory for Amritdhari Sikhs.
Calling the incident a serious violation of the Indian Constitution, Rajpal demanded strict action against the officials responsible for stopping the candidate from appearing in the exam. He said, “Under the Sikh Rehat Maryada, no Amritdhari Sikh can part from their five Kakaars. This denial is not only discriminatory but also deeply insensitive to Sikh identity and fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.”
According to Rajpal, despite widespread awareness that the kirpan is one of the five sacred symbols of Sikhism, such incidents of exclusion and disrespect continue to surface. “Time and again, Sikh candidates are specifically targeted and forced to remove their religious articles to appear for competitive exams. When they resist, they are denied entry,” he said.
Terming the incident as a “blatant act of religious discrimination against Sikhs in their own country,” Rajpal said such behaviour cannot be tolerated. He urged the Rajasthan Chief Minister to personally intervene in the matter and ensure immediate disciplinary action against the officials involved.
He further demanded that special arrangements be made to allow the affected Sikh candidate to appear for the exam, saying justice must be served. “The kirpan is not just a symbol, it represents Sikh identity and is protected under the Constitution. Ignorance or hate towards it is unacceptable,” he said.
Rajpal also appealed to the central government to enact a law that penalises those who discriminate against Sikhs for wearing their religious symbols. “A strong legal framework is needed to deter such acts in future and ensure that no official dares to repeat such behaviour,” he added.
