Sikhs Want Kids to Wear Swords in School

Members of a Michigan Sikh community are upset after a child was banned from bringing a religious sword to a public school.

Audio clip:

The incident occurred at Bentley Elementary School in Canton. A fourth grader was caught wearing a small saber underneath his clothing.

The Sikh faith is the world’s fifth largest religion. Any person who has been baptized into the religion is expected to carry the saber all the time.

“It’s a religious symbol,” Sikh leader Teikiran Singh told Fox News, disputing the notion that it was a weapon. “It just reminds you of your spirituality. It’s a fight against your internal evils.”

The principal initially allowed the child to keep the sword but the Plymouth-Canton School District later determined the religious symbol resembled a weapon and was officially banned.

Parents, many of whom did not want to be identified, agreed with the ban.

“It should stay home, in my opinion,” one parent told Fox.

Another said, “If it’s somebody’s religion, I would wonder if there’s a reason or purpose for them to have to have it at school.”

But Singh stressed that no one is in danger.

“Equal damage could be done with a fork or with a butter knife,” he said. “Every kid has a pair of scissors, a pencil.”

Sikh leaders are hoping to meet with school officials and work out a compromise that will allow their children to practice their faith.

Religious Symbol Controversy in Canton: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Todd Starnes is a Fox News Radio reporter and best-selling author. Join his Facebook and Twitter pages by clicking here.

10 Comments

Kingfish

January 7, 2011 at 3:12 pm

If that had been a white or black child, they would have been expelled and the police called in. Tolerance for muslims but not for anyone else.
- john
  
  February 12, 2011 at 10:52 am
  
  If it had no blade on the inside-FINE! Otherwise IDIOT it is a weapon. Make the blade out of rubber -FINE! Weld the blade inside the sheath-FINE! If the weld is broken upon inspection in the future-EXPULSION! I belong to the Cowboy Religion and I want to bring my six-shooter to school ! My God ,SHANE ,compels meto carry. Come back Shane,Shane come back!
Lee

January 7, 2011 at 5:57 pm

Ah, no.
- Hardeep
  
  August 18, 2011 at 6:02 pm
  
  "Tolerance for muslims but not for anyone else." I forgot that sikhs are now referred to as muslims. Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't sikhism a whole different religion to islam. It's part of the sikh religion to hold the kirpan (the dagger). A white, black, brown or yellow child is allowed to wear a cross, so why isnt this child allowed his kirpan?
morris21654

January 8, 2011 at 10:22 am

I think what we are seeing hear is one culture trying to adjust to another culture. Eventually, the Sikhs will find a way to keep to their religious practices in ways that are acceptable to the dominant culture. No one should ban Christian students wearing crosses around their necks. No one should ban yarmulke on Jewish students. No one should ban the Sikh swords (which are kept out of sight, unlike the the crosses and yarmulke) provided that the Sikhs find a way to meet the standards of safety set by the schools and the community. This isn't about being against any religion. Use your energy to help solve a problem of one culture adjusting to another
Guest

January 8, 2011 at 1:12 pm

If they allow one Sikh kid to carry a sword in school, will they allow my Southern Baptist son to carry his hunting rifle?
Terry Kaas

January 8, 2011 at 5:54 pm

Everywhere we are hearing how our children are not allowed to practice religion (prayer) or even mention some words like "God", "Jesus", or even "Christmas". Why is it allowable for Muslims to practice their religion, but Christians and Jews cannot?!?
This country has lost its way.
- Harman Kaur
  
  March 15, 2012 at 4:49 pm
  
  Sikhism has no ties with Islam…
Emperor of China

January 25, 2011 at 7:39 am

Its time to shut down public schools, its no longer our America. Get over it keep the kids at home so "Somebody" other then the tax payers have to pick up the tab!
"Shut Down Public Schools", to Internet Schools, it "cheaper", "safer" to keep the kids at home using internet schools.
No More Entertaining the Enemy in our Public Forums.
Let's Think

January 31, 2011 at 12:03 pm

Regardless of the religion aspect! A sword is a sword and it's a weapon! OK, so if the school allows it to be worn but under clothes um NOW it's a concealed weapon! Come on people let's start thinking before reacting. Kids make stupid decisions ALL day every day. There's no promise that the sword will ONLY be used as a reminder of their faith. KEEP IT AT HOME WITH THE OTHER KNIVES, GUNS AND OTHER WEAPONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just Pray… you can never go wrong with that.