A school district in the Central Valley city of Fresno, California will consider a proposal tonight to allow students to wear a religious symbol often mistaken for a knife.
The proposal before the Board of Trustees of the Central Unified School District would “recognize the importance to members of the Sikh community of possessing and wearing Kirpans.”
Under the guidelines, the kirpan must be secured and tightly sewn into a strap. It must not be more than 3.5 inches in length and cannot be removed from its sheath or displayed in a threatening matter.
“This marks another step toward our religious freedom,” Rajdeep Sandhu, a member of the Sikh Institute of Fresno, said to GV Wire. “It’s an accomplishment for the whole community.”
The measure would also ban unlawful harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation or provocation of any student wearing a genuine Kirpan.
“The District recognizes the increasing diversity of its students, personnel and community members. The Board acknowledges that members of the Sikh faith represent a significant population of the District community and the Board desires to ensure that every school site provides a welcoming place for all. To that end, the Board directs the Superintendent to prepare a
comprehensive policy to accommodate the religious practices of Sikh students,” the resolution reads.
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