The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday celebrated Sikh Heritage Month and a recent policy change to allow ceremonial blades that were previously barred in council chambers.On March 10, city leaders approved a new ordinance to allow the carrying of Sikh kirpans, a religious article of faith. The ordinance went into effect earlier this month. The Kirpan blade symbolizes the duty to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable. The blade is a religious article that must be worn sheathed, secured and close to the body, according to a report from the city ahead of its approval. On Tuesday, Council Member Caity Maple presented a resolution to honor Sikh Heritage Month and tens of thousands of members of the Sikh community who live in Sacramento.“That was about more than just policy,” she said of the change to allow kirpans. “It was about respect and inclusion, and making sure that everyone can fully show up as themselves in our civic spaces.” One of the speakers at the meeting was Jasjit Singh, who is a member of the Sacramento City Unified School District’s Board of Education. He told councilmembers that the new policy has “allowed folks to stop making an impossible choice between participating in civil life and honoring their faith.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday celebrated Sikh Heritage Month and a recent policy change to allow ceremonial blades that were previously barred in council chambers.
On March 10, city leaders approved a new ordinance to allow the carrying of Sikh kirpans, a religious article of faith. The ordinance went into effect earlier this month.
The Kirpan blade symbolizes the duty to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable. The blade is a religious article that must be worn sheathed, secured and close to the body, according to a report from the city ahead of its approval.
Jason Hetherington
A photo of a kirpan.
On Tuesday, Council Member Caity Maple presented a resolution to honor Sikh Heritage Month and tens of thousands of members of the Sikh community who live in Sacramento.
“That was about more than just policy,” she said of the change to allow kirpans. “It was about respect and inclusion, and making sure that everyone can fully show up as themselves in our civic spaces.”
One of the speakers at the meeting was Jasjit Singh, who is a member of the Sacramento City Unified School District’s Board of Education.
He told councilmembers that the new policy has “allowed folks to stop making an impossible choice between participating in civil life and honoring their faith.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel