Kirpan Facts!!!

Kay so tonight an old lady on public transit was about to call security on me for “illegally possessing a weapon,” referring to my kirpan. Luckily she was told to sit down and mind her own business, but the hate that spewed out of her mouth has really been bothering me.

Sooo I thought I would counter ignorance with education and help you guys get to know the kirpan, a distinct Sikh article of faith, better. :)

1. It symbolizes justice: Sikhs are commanded to be Sant Sipaahi (Saint Soldiers), meaning we must vow to be devoted to God and stand up for justice. The kirpan serves as a physical reminder to us that whenever we see oppression, no matter who it is being oppressed, we are obligated to stand up and act. As an amritdhari Sikh, I am commanded to keep a kirpan on me at all times (yes even in bed, and yes even in the shower).

2. It symbolizes sovereignty: During the formative years of Sikhi, the Mughal dynasty had taken a turn for the worst. The Emporer Jahangir had executed Guru Arjan Dev Ji due to religious and political intolerance, and Shah Jahan continued to wage petty political wars on the Sikhs. The emperors maintained a strict imperial status quo, which was contrary to Sikhi’s message of egalitarianism. Therefore as an act of resistance, Sikhs wore articles that only royalty could wear. The royals wore turbans, and a commoner wearing a turban could be punished by death- so we wore turbans. Another such symbol of royalty was the sword, so each Sikh from the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib began carrying kirpans as a statement that not only are we all equal, but that the imperial Mughals do not own us and our only owner is the King of Kings Themselves- declaring our personal sovereignty.

3. Represents Adi Shakti: In mystic interpretations of Sikhi, the kirpan is a representation of the Adi Shakti, which is a feminine energy similar to the concept of the Shekhina in Kabbalistic Judaism.

4. It is 110% LEGAL: In Canada it is protected under the Freedom of Religion in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Several other countries legally recognize the kirpan, and it is completely legal for us to wear it. In fact, if you were to force us to remove it, you would be breaching our rights.

5. We are probably not going to kill you, so chill. Seriously.

I know so many amritdhari brothers and sisters who are afraid to let their kirpan show, but please remember that the Khalsa was made to stand out, not blend in. I know it’s hard, but embrace the daat Guru Gobind Singh Ji has given you and do not be afraid to express who you are.

We are not criminals.