Ceremonial Sikh 'kirpan' leads to police raid on Auckland bus

A member of the public on the bus reported a man carrying a knife to police.

Kirpan

Source: Public Domain

Auckland Police boarded a city bus on Monday after a passenger reported a man carrying a knife.

It turned out to be a Sikh man who was carrying his ceremonial knife – ‘kirpan’, one of the five articles of faith in Sikhism. 

The man believed to be in his 20s, carrying a kirpan, traditionally worn by Sikhs, was travelling on the Inner Link service bus when the police boarded the bus and asked the man to take off the kirpan. 

The man was polite and cooperative and did as told while no further action was taken.

An unnamed witness told the  that police entered the bus with a gun. The witness said, "We looked out the window and we could see and the police car behind us with sirens blaring." 

A police spokeswoman said that officers were called after a member of the public reported seeing a kirpan.

She said the armed offenders squad was not sent and the officers were not armed.

"Police spoke with the man, who is a Sikh."

"He was in possession of a ceremonial kirpan, which is customary for Sikhs. The man, who is lawfully living in New Zealand, was polite and cooperative and no further action was taken."

The spokeswoman said the ceremonial kirpan wasn't confiscated.

Indian-origin National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi has tabled a member's bill - '' in New Zealand Parliament which, if passed, would allow a baptized Sikh person to carry “Kirpan” (ceremonial knives), one of the 5 articles of the Sikh faith, in public places as well as workplaces without this being an offence.

The bill will ensure the kirpan can be no more than 10cm and must be worn under clothing. 

It will also require those who wear it also to be wearing the other four articles of faith - kesh (uncut long hair), kanga (a comb), kara (an iron bracelet), and kachehra (under shorts).

Follow SBS HINDI on and

Share
Published 26 July 2017 12:36pm
Updated 26 July 2017 12:48pm
By Mosiqi Acharya


Share this with family and friends


Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Hindi-speaking Australians.
Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS Hindi News

SBS Hindi News

Watch it onDemand