MY EXPERIENCE IN US COURT How can you get your rights if you do not stand for them?This started as a regular day. I had a traffic ticket to pay and I had to go to the North Orange County Court in Fullerton. As per Guru Gobind Singh Ji's order, I had taken Amrit and was wearing Kirpan. So I was a little concerned about the circumstances that how the policeman will treat me when I go there. But I did some preparation before I went there. I took a printout from the SALDEF - Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund, printout from the SikhNet about the news item that showed that Sikhs are allowed to take Kirpan in a Toronto Court. Before I left my house I took Hukumnama that is order of the Guru from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and prayed to the Almighty that please help me to handle my situation properly when I am carrying the Kirpan to the court. So when I went to the security check post in the court, I put my Kirpan there and naturally the policeman objected to it and I politely reminded him that maybe they are not aware of the panj kakar of the Sikhs or the requirement of a Sikh to wear Kirpan. They definitely established that it couldn't be taken in the court, even if it sacred. So I was asked to put the Kirpan back into my car. Then I proceeded to take care of my business in the court for the traffic ticket. After I paid my ticket, the same policeman who checked me at the security gate was rushing towards me and I was a little scared until he said that he is sorry. He checked with his supervisor and Sikhs are allowed to take Kirpan in the court. So I immediately thanked God that He has taken care of the situation. My happiness knew no bounds when I heard from the police officer that a Sikh is allowed to take a Kirpan in the court. Right from the beginning I was prepared to test the waters and take Kirpan in an area where Law Enforcement officers are checking its legality to be taken into the courthouse. I wanted to make a way so that in future if Amritdhari Sikhs go to the court they should be allowed to take Kirpan. So when he gave me the good news I was so thankful to God and I was happy that I was able to stand for my rights and for the Sikh Community. The moral of the story is that if you do not stand for your rights then how can you get them. So I am sending you this information for further propagation and I am further trying to get this ruling in writing so, that I can give it to all the Sikhs for their convenience. Thank you very much. |