Sikh Pilot moves high court for nod to carry kirpan on flight | India News – Times of India

NAGPUR: A pilot working with the InterGlobe Aviation operating IndiGo Airlines has moved the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court for permission to carry kirpan (small dagger) while performing his duties.
Quoting Article 25 of the Constitution of India, petitioner Angad Singh prayed for directives to the respondents, including the Union ministry of civil aviation, for permission to carry kirpan, one of the five distinguishing signs of the Sikhs, and worn by those following Sikh religion.
A division bench comprising justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri issued notices to the respondents asking them to file a reply before January 29. Central Industrial Safety Force (CISF) director and additional director along with Bureau of Civil Aviation Security are other respondents in the case.
The petitioner through counsel Sahil Dewani contended that the restrictions imposed by an order issued in 2022 by the Union ministry of civil aviation are required to be corrected/amended in view of subsequent corrigendum of March 12, 2022. Sikh passengers are permitted to carry kirpan of a particular size as per the new government guidelines. The guidelines, however, prevent all employees working at airports or inside aircraft from carrying it.

Citing a Delhi HC verdict in the case of Harsh Singhal versus the Government of India in 2022, the petitioner, a junior first officer (JFO) at IndiGo’s base in Mumbai, claimed that prohibiting him from carrying kirpan is a violation of his fundamental rights.
The petitioner addressed various communications to the respondents bringing to their knowledge obstacles he was facing while travelling either for his personal work or while fulfilling his professional duties.
Singh prayed for directives to the respondents for issuing an appropriate order to remove any ambiguity on carrying kirpan by all the stakeholders, including the airport and airlines employees. He also demanded declaring the respondents’ action of prohibiting him from following his religious beliefs as illegal and violative of his fundamental rights.