'No blanket ban, Sikhs can carry kirpans in Karnataka as before'

The Karnataka Government on Thursday cleared the row over the decision to ban kirpan, stating that there is no blanket ban on the issue and Sikhs can carry kirpans in the state as before.

"A kirpan which is not longer than 9" or wider than 2" is not covered under the ban as per Arms Rules, 2016. There is no blanket ban on the issue and Sikhs can carry kirpans in Karnataka as before," a statement from the Karnataka Government said.

Earlier in the day, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Kirpal Singh Badungar had condemned the Karnataka Government's decision to ban kirpan, saying that it was violation of Article 25 of the Constitution that gives everyone freedom to practice one's religion.

The SGPC also appealed to the Centre and the Punjab Government to seriously consider the Karnataka Government's step.

Earlier last month, on August 28, the Karnataka Government issued an order imposing a ban on carrying kirpans, khukris, machetes, swords without licence, as specified in category V of the Schedule I of the Arms Rules of 2016, in public places under the Bengaluru jurisdiction.