Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday expressed deep concern and anguish over the decision of Italian Supreme Court banning wearing of “kirpan”, the Sikh religious symbol, on the pretext of public safety.
The decision of Supreme Court has shaken the Sikh community world over, said SAD secretary and spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema, adding that the Court has ignored the fact that carrying of “kirpan” is essential and mandatory part of religious code of conduct of an “amritdhari Sikh”.
“It is a question of faith and a fundamental right of a Sikh. Banning of kirpan means that no amritdhari Sikh will be able to live in Italy after this order,” he said.
Cheema said that Akali Dal as well as Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee will raise this issue at appropriate platform to ensure justice to Sikhs settled in Italy.
The party will also take up of the matter with External Affairs Ministry and urge them to take up this matter with the Italian Government, at the earliest.