In Theory

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week vetoed a state bill affecting California’s Sikh community. State Assembly Bill 504, which passed both houses of the Legislature unanimously, would have directed police departments and law enforcement agencies statewide to educate officers and give them sensitivity training when dealing with Sikhs. At issue was how police officers have dealt with observant Sikhs who carry the kirpan, a ceremonial dagger that is an essential part of Sikh religious clothing, and which observing Sikhs are required to wear along with the turban. In some cases, Sikhs have been arrested for carrying these ceremonial daggers in public.

As a leader of your respective religion in the community, what is your perspective on this clash between public safety and the freedom of religious expression?

Was the governor right to veto the bill? Should police be more sensitive and trained better to identify religious wear or accessories that are integral to the many different religions that are represented in California — such as turbans, or the hijab, the head scarf worn by Muslim women?

By doing so, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger showed his lack of support for California’s religious minorities. As an immigrant himself, the Sikh community had hoped that he would support other minorities in our diverse communities of California. Sikhs have been in California for more than 100 years. There would be no clash between public safety and the freedom of religious expression if this bill would have become state law. This bill was introduced with hope of educating and helping to stop the arrests of Sikhs for carrying their kirpans in California.

Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in arrests of Sikhs nationwide and statewide for carrying kirpans. Police mistakenly believe them to be in violation of concealed weapons laws. Such arrests violate Sikhs’ rights, waste taxpayer money and have a traumatic effect on the person arrested. The bill did not touch on the legality of the kirpan; it asked that police officers be trained about who Sikhs are and learn about the significance of the kirpan, in hopes that religious understanding would decrease arrests.

While some police and sheriff’s departments have recognized the need for this type of training and have been conducting it on an ad hoc basis, this law would have standardized and mandated the process statewide. The veto came despite the bill’s broad endorsement by groups ranging from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and party consultants from both sides of the aisle, as well as several religious and civil rights groups. Every single California legislator was in favor of the proposed law.

The governor’s response is very disappointing. It shows his lack of support for promoting religious understanding and harmony. It is regrettable that he does not understand the value of educating our law enforcement agencies on the diverse communities/religions that are represented in California.

Dr. Jasbir Singh Mann

Board member, Sikh Center of Orange County

There is a big difference between carrying a large knife and wearing a turban or a head scarf. I am not familiar enough with Sikh traditions to know why this dagger is important, but I’m sure it is. According to our laws, you have the right to bear arms, but I’m not sure how that applies to those who carry knives for religious purposes. Gov. Schwarzenegger was correct, however, in vetoing this bill. We can’t microlegislate for every group of people who have such needs.

A few years ago there was a similar issue with some Jewish groups concerning a temporary ceremonial wall that was to be constructed around a significant portion of Santa Monica. I believe in that case, the local city councils gave a temporary permit, and that’s how I think this must be handled. Large Sikh communities should seek special permission from their local city governments, or recognize that their ceremonies might have to be limited to their temples or compounds.

Dr. Jim Turrell

Pastor, Center for Spiritual Living

If the Sikhs consider daggers to be part of their religious uniform, then have them wear them at their religious ceremonies but not out in public. When people come to this country, they should abide by our laws or go home. They cannot expect everyone else to put up with their potentially dangerous customs. What needs to be emphasized is what we have in common, not the various arbitrary rules and customs of all the different religions.

Jerry Parks

Member, Humanist Association of Orange County

Sensitivity training is a must! In fact, I would go so far as to say that it should not stop with police officers, but all of us need to become more sensitive to the cultures among us, the various faith traditions and observations and how we of different backgrounds live together in community. If we were to be adequately trained, we would know that a Kirpan is not a threat to public safety, but rather a symbol of religious faithfulness. We must always be attuned to discrimination so that we will not be culpable of committing it.

Due to the fact that we are not a homogenous group where everyone looks, acts, thinks, believes and worships the same (thank God!), it is necessary that we educate ourselves concerning our diversity. It is a shame that the governor chose to veto this bill, for it could have enhanced our public safety by protecting Sikhs from misinformed officers or community members who might report an innocuous kirpan.

As a member of the faith community, I pledge to increase awareness in my congregation regarding religious traditions other than my own, and hope that we can turn to our Interfaith Council to further dialogue on this topic raising awareness of the diversity among us.

The Rev. Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church

One of the most startling things in Israel is to see groups of Israeli soldiers, studying the Holy Sepulcher and other sites cornerstone to the Christ story. As part of their military training, they are required to know why these sites are so important to the followers of Jesus. The same is true of Muslim, Bahai, Samaritan and others’ sites, though they are not allowed on most Islamic sites by the Muslim authorities.

Their training allows them to understand how something so trivial to them could spark a riot if not handled correctly. I don’t wear a cross, as a personal preference, as it often trivializes and beautifies a terrible thing. For someone to fear wearing a symbol of their faith in public in America is dreadfully wrong. However, the kirpan is a fairly recent addition to Sikh outfits, and their guru’s do not specify that they be made of metal.

It is symbolic and could be embroidered or made of non-threatening substances like plastic or rubber when worn in places that could cause concern without violating the intent of the kirpan. This may not be the most desirable option, but as our world becomes increasingly diverse, and Sikhs seek to become part of our culture, a compromise on both sides may be necessary.

Ric Olsen

Lead Pastor, The Beacon