On 5th August, Supreme Court rejected the plea challenging the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security’s (BCAS) decision to allow Sikh passengers to carry Kirpan on domestic flights and airports.
The petitioner withdrew the petition after a bench of Justices Abdul Nazeer and JK Maheshwari granted authority to the petitioner to approach a concerned High Court.
The petitioner was Advocate Ankur Yadav from Hindu Sena. He pointed out to restrain any article that may pose a potential threat at the airport or on the flight.
He challenged the Aviation Security order dated 4th March 2022, and the corrigendum issued on 12th march by the respondent, BCAS saying that there was a loophole created in the safety in aviation and passengers which violated Fundamental Right to Life and Personal Liberty under the Article 21.
It was on 4th March 2022 when the BCAS allowed Sikh passengers to carry the Kirpan and employees working at the airport, or terminal should be allowed to carry the Kirpan. However this order was removed on 12th March saying that no Sikh employee is permitted to carry the Kirpan.
“Kirpan may be carried only by a Sikh passenger, on his person, provided the length of its blade does not exceed 15.24 cms (6 inches), and the total length of a Kirpan does not exceed 22.86 cms (9 inches). It is allowed while travelling by air on Indian aircrafts within India (domestic routes of fully domestic flights operating from Domestic Terminals only,” the Avsec order copy stated.
