Rajasthan HC exam: Sikh woman candidate claims she was denied entry for wearing ‘kirpan’, approaches Akal Takht

An Amritdhari Sikh woman candidate from Tarn Taran’s Pheloke village was allegedly stopped from appearing for the Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur) Civil Judge recruitment exam in Jaipur because she was wearing a kirpan.

After being denied entry, candidate Gurpreet Kaur approached the Akal Takht and sent a video message alleging that she was refused entry without any clear explanation regarding the permissible size of the Sri Sahib (kirpan) and Karra (iron bracelet).

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj condemned the move and directed the Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, to raise the issue with the Prime Minister and Home Minister and submit a detailed report to the Akal Takht.

Terming the incident a grave violation of the Indian Constitution and an act of religious discrimination, Jathedar Gargaj questioned the BJP-led Rajasthan Government— which claims to protect Sikh interests—on whether it is genuinely safeguarding Sikh rights. He stressed that Amritdhari Sikhs wear the kirpan as a mandatory article of faith, yet they continue to face repeated discrimination due to their distinct identity.

He pointed out that similar discrimination had occurred during last year’s recruitment process in Jaipur and Jodhpur. Despite written communication from the SGPC and other Sikh bodies to the state government, the injustice is being repeated.

Jathedar Gargaj referenced Article 25 Explanation I of the Indian Constitution, which affirms Sikhs’ right to wear the kirpan, and criticised ongoing discrimination despite constitutional safeguards.

He directed the Shiromani Akali Dal and the SGPC to immediately form a high-level joint delegation to meet PM Narendra Modi, 0Home Minister Amit Shah, Rajasthan Chief Minister, and the Registrar of the Rajasthan High Court to protest strongly and seek a permanent resolution.

The Jathedar further urged the SGPC to consider filing a petition in this case and previous ones in the Rajasthan High Court to secure judicial remedies protecting Amritdhari Sikh candidates. He warned that continued challenges to Sikh identity and faith could lead to more serious consequences, making urgent and permanent resolution essential.

Rajasthan