{"id":291469,"date":"2026-04-29T13:19:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T13:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/291469\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T13:19:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T13:19:17","slug":"sacramento-city-hall-allows-sikh-religious-kirpan-in-council-chambers-after-policy-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/291469\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacramento City Hall allows Sikh religious kirpan in council chambers after policy change"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sacramento now allows Sikhs to carry kirpans in council chambers under new rules, marking a shift toward religious inclusion and civic participation.<\/p>\n

SACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 Sacramento\u00a0<\/a>City Hall is opening the door to greater religious inclusion after a policy change took effect, allowing members of the Sikh community to carry a kirpan, a sacred article of faith, inside council chambers.<\/p>\n

The change was recognized on Tuesday during a Sacramento City Council meeting, which also included a presentation for Sikh Heritage Month led by Council member Caity Maple.<\/p>\n

Until now, Sikhs were not allowed to enter council chambers with a kirpan, a ceremonial blade tied to their faith. That changed after a March vote approved carrying the item inside City Hall.<\/p>\n

Under the ordinance, the kirpan must be covered and no longer than 10 inches. It is one of five articles of faith for some initiated Sikhs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time I have stepped into City Hall and felt complete,\u201d Dr. Gurtej Cheema said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoments like this, things like this, it goes a long way in educating our community on who we are,\u201d Mandeep Singh, regional director of the Jakara Movement.<\/p>\n

Other cities, including Fresno, and even the State Capitol, already allow kirpans.<\/p>\n

Jasjit Singh, with the Jakara Movement and Sacramento City Unified School District Board Member, described the change as a significant breakthrough for religious inclusion and civic participation, saying Sikh community members can now fully engage in public life without compromising their identity.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the biggest things we have in this country is the right to religious freedom, and somehow that was not being upheld in these chambers,\u201d Singh said. \u201cWe weren\u2019t allowing folks to be their full selves, and it\u2019s just an amazing feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event marked the culmination of a longer effort to ensure that people were not forced to choose between their faith and participation in local government.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe allowed folks to be their full selves today. I think that\u2019s the biggest thing,\u201d Singh said. \u201cFolks can finally enter City Hall, engage in civic life, and not feel like they are giving something up.”<\/p>\n

He also pointed to the wide age range at the meeting, from a 2-month-old infant to a 95-year-old elder, as evidence of a deeply rooted, multigenerational community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want folks to know that Sikhs have been here. We belong. We\u2019re part of the American fabric,” Singh said.<\/p>\n

In addition to celebrating the policy change, Singh encouraged greater community engagement and education about the Sikh faith.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want the community to learn about the Sikh faith, come to our Gurdwara,\u201d Singh said. \u201cI think we are living in a really difficult time in this country right now. This is one of those moments where we realize that, especially in local government, local engagement is how we can really come together.\u201d<\/p>\n

ABC10: Watch, Download, Read<\/p>\n


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