A White Rock man is speaking out about a recent policy change that allows initiated Sikhs to wear their ceremonial daggers into B.C. courthouses.
Regardless of the logic for the change, it “crosses a line,” Dean Berkeley said, referring to the move that permits kirpans into public areas of court buildings.
“It’s not a religion thing, it’s not a racist thing. You do not go into a public law building packing a knife.”
The B.C. Ministry of Justice changed policy early this month to accommodate kirpans, after working with the World Sikh Organization of Canada to develop guidelines.
Up until then, anyone with a kirpan was asked by sheriffs to put their daggers or swords in their vehicles or stay outside.
The new guidelines bring B.C. in line with Alberta and Toronto courts, as well as all Parliament of Canada buildings.
The kirpan symbolizes spiritual wisdom and the duty to stand against injustice. The Sikh code of conduct requires it be worn at all times, along with four other articles of faith.
Surrey sheriff services’ Insp. Brad Messenger said ensuring all of those five tenets of Sikhism are being followed is key to allowing someone to bring their kirpan in.
“If you don’t have all five of those… you can’t come in here with a kirpan,” he said.
The policy does not apply to anyone in custody, he added, nor does it change the fact that everyone who enters the courthouse is risk-assessed. He assured that Sikhs who display all five tenets but are deemed a risk will be dealt with just like any other member of the public who is deemed a risk.
Berkeley said his own heritage includes the wearing of a sgian dubh – a small, single-edged knife – as part of Scottish Highland traditional dress. He typically only wears his for special occasions such as weddings, but, after learning of the kirpan policy, decided to test its reception at the Surrey courthouse.
He was told he couldn’t have the knife on him in the courthouse, and promptly left the building. And that is how it should be for everyone, regardless of religion, he said.
Messenger said he expected the new policy would be tested. He could not predict if its enactment would open the door to allow other ceremonial or traditional weapons.
WSO general legal counsel Palbinder Kaur Shergil told Black Press the guidelines “balance both security and the freedom-of-religion rights of the Sikh community.”