Sikhs boycott meeting with Pope

Sikhs boycott meeting with Pope

ap.google.com

Sikh representatives are refusing to take part in an interfaith meeting with Pope Benedict XVI when he visits the US next month.

The problem is that the US secret service will not allow the Sikhs to wear the kirpan, or ceremonial dagger.

The dagger symbolises Sikhs\' commitment to resist oppression and injustice.

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I see two sides of the aurgument.

The duties of the Secret Service include the obligation to protect foreign dignitaries visiting the US. The Kirpaan is a ceremonial dagger worn by devout Sikhs to demonstrate their resistance to oppression. Their religion requires it. See Gurbaj Singh Multani v. Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys for an example.

Then I just noticed..

The meeting is only45-minutes

By the time they are searched by the Secret Service and the handshaking and the fake pleasanteries are done.. its jackets on..And Vrrrooomm



ap.google.com
(visit the link for the full news article)