Mumbai, Feb 12: Mumbai airport customs officials have handed over 35 confiscated Kirpans to the Sat Sri Akaal Welfare Trust after persistent requests from the Sikh community to ensure that articles of faith seized during security clearances are handled with the appropriate spiritual dignity and returned to the community.
The returned items were primarily taken from Sikh travelers whose Kirpans did not meet the specific carriage specifications mandated by current aviation guidelines.
Sikh leaders have frequently mentioned that these security practices often conflict with the religious protections guaranteed under the constitution.
Sardar Puran Singh Banga, who led the recovery initiative, mentioned that the trust is now working to identify all such religious belongings currently in official custody. He noted that the goal is to either return the items to their original owners or ensure they are disposed of according to Sikh religious traditions in a respectful manner.
“The recovery effort was driven by concern for the dignity of sacred articles,” Banga stated. He also mentioned that the process is being applied across different faiths, with customs officials returning various religious texts and sacred water to other community representatives as well.
The event has prompted Sikh advocates to call for clearer guidelines at all Indian airports. There is a growing demand for the union government to address issues such as the removal of the Kara and restrictions on Khanda necklaces, which the community considers essential to their identity.
Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal noted that the current environment at airports often leads to unnecessary friction for Amritdhari Sikhs. He mentioned that the community has repeatedly flagged these concerns with the central government to ensure that aviation rules do not inadvertently infringe upon religious sentiments. Grewal noted that a more sensitized approach from security personnel is required to avoid causing distress to passengers who adhere strictly to their articles of faith.
