The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has altered its policy to allow Sikh students to wear their kirpans, NBC News reports.
Kirpans, according to News 18, are curved, single-edged daggers or holy knives. They are worn close to the body and sheathed at all times.
The decision comes after a video surfaced two months ago showing a student wearing a kirpan being handcuffed, NBC News reports. Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber and Chief Diversity Officer Brandon L. Wolfe released a statement saying they were working with the police department to implement the policy.
“The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, with support from Institutional Integrity, also conducted additional awareness training this week with our police department and will continue its work to expand our cultural education and training opportunities for all of campus,” the statement reads.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
We are supported through donations and such charitable organizations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All donations are tax deductible and can be made here.
Please purchase your tickets to our fundraiser Up Close with Connie Chung, America’s first Asian American to anchor a nightly network newscast. The in-depth conversation with Connie will be held November 14 at 7:30 at Columbia University’s Milbank Chapel in the Teacher’s College. All proceeds benefit AsAmNews.
