Sacramento is making a notable change at City Hall, allowing members of the Sikh community to carry a ceremonial blade inside council chambers for the first time.<\/p>\n
The new policy grants a religious exemption for the kirpan, a sacred article of faith traditionally worn by Sikhs, and answers longstanding concerns about access and religious freedom.<\/p>\n
“It’s good to feel that I can exist as I am,” said Mandeep Singh, regional director of the Jakara Movement.<\/p>\n
Singh and other Sikhs are now permitted to enter Sacramento City Hall carrying a kirpan, a small metal blade resembling a knife or dagger. Singh noted that Sikhs are required to carry the religious article at all times. <\/p>\n
Until now, knives and other weapons have been prohibited inside city hall, with police officers manning a checkpoint with metal detectors. People with a kirpan had been turned away in the past.<\/p>\n
“It felt like you were being discriminated against because the First Amendment does protect the right to religion,” Singh said.<\/p>\n
Sacramento police say they have new procedures in place to screen people carrying the metal blade.<\/p>\n
“Instead of just allowing anybody with a kirpan to just walk through, we’re still going to use the hand screen wand to make sure that there’s no other weapons on that person,” Lt. Chad Coughran said.<\/p>\n
The policy change was led by City Councilmember Caity Maple, who says she’s not concerned about any impacts to safety and security at City Hall.<\/p>\n
“We’ve seen in other cities where this has been in place for many years now that they’ve not experienced any issues, so i don’t anticipate them,” Maple said.<\/p>\n
Dozens of Sikh members had a chance to meet with the mayor and other city leaders to celebrate the policy change. Singh said he’s now proud to exercise his newfound religious freedom.<\/p>\n
“It feels good to have the community have this option and represent themselves,” he said.<\/p>\n
The California State Capitol and cities like Fresno also allow Sikhs to carry a kirpan. Singh said he’s now going to try and get them accepted at the Golden 1 Center so he can attend a Sacramento Kings game.<\/p>\n