The Italian Supreme Court has rejected a Sikh's request to carry a kirpan in public and declared that immigrants to the West must adhere to the values of the society they have chosen to live in.
The court stated in its final verdict that, while diversity in a multi-ethnic society is vital, public safety is more important, and individual rights can be superseded for that purpose. The Supreme Court ruled that immigrants must make sure their beliefs are compatible with the legal systems of the nations they are living in.
The High Cassation Court of Italy rejected the application of an immigrant Sikh from India who wanted to carry a kirpan.- a dagger considered sacred in Sikhism as doing so would have violated Italian law. An appeal was filed by the Sikh migrant who was ordered to pay $2,195 (Rs1,40,700) for carrying a kirpan by the court in Italy.
SGPC to move international court against Italian SC’s decision
In response to the court decision, SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) President, Kirpal Singh Bandugar has decided to file a petition in the International Court to safeguard Sikhs' right to wear their religious symbol.
The SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee)
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Supreme Gurdwara Management Committee) is an organization in India that manages gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh areas as well as Darbar Sahib in Amritsar.
A president of the SGPC is in charge of the SGPC. The SGPC manages the security, finances, facility maintenance, and religious aspects of Gurdwaras as well as keeping archaeologically rare and sacred artifacts, such as weapons, clothes, books, and writings of the Sikh Gurus.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced on May 18 2017 that it would appeal the Italian Supreme Court's decision upholding the ban on Sikhs carrying kirpans in public to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
SGPC president Kirpal Singh Bandugar said the court decision is a matter of great concern and they have decided to file a petition in the International Court of Justice to safeguard Sikhs' rights. He said that “In the petition, we will request ICJ to allow the Sikhs to wear their religious symbols across the world.”
He stated that the SGPC has already approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to intercede in the matter and to raise it with the Italian counterpart.
He claimed that the Italian court's judgment violated the fundamental tenets of Sikhism, which has a distinct identity because of special religious symbols worn by Sikhs.
Sikhs around the world have been shaken by the Italian Supreme Court's decision. This is a question of faith and the fundamental right of the Sikhs. This order will prevent 'Amritdhari Sikhs' from living in Italy and has caused deep anguish to the entire Sikh community.