London, July 25 (ANI): Baptized Sikh cricket fan Gurdev Singh was denied access to the Lord's cricket ground on Sunday after he was found to be carrying a traditional Kirpan (dagger).
On being denied entry, Singh staged a protest outside the east gate of the Lord's cricket ground on Sunday.
"I was refused entry because I refused to lose my Kirpan and take my Kirpan off. Kirpan is a body part, is a limb of a Sikh. It is always on our body, we wash with it, we clothe ourselves everyday, we go everywhere with our Kirpan that is how much respect we give it to our Kirpan. And sacrifices that we have given, not only in India but all around the world, the World War I and II to be refused entry to a cricket ground because I refused to take my Kirpan off and I have been standing here all day in protest," said Singh.
"It is the same Kirpan that saved half of people in here are able to live in freedom, when Sikhs went from all the villages from Punjab, from Jalandar, Phagwara, Ludhiana and came in for with these English people against the Nazis. A woe, which had nothing to do with us but yes my ancestors which I am proud of, they came from India fought here, honorably. And give me the ability to live freely here but now I am asked to take my Kirpan off and refused entry," added Singh.
He said that Lord's, which is considered the Mecca of cricket and the origin for the gentleman's game, is one of the dirtiest places in London.
Kirpan is a curved ceremonial dagger and is regarded as one of the key religious symbols of the Sikh community.
Five articles of faith are required to wear by baptized Sikhs, the Kirpan, the Kara, a steel bracelet, the Kachhehra, a type of shorts, kes, the unshorn hairs and the Kangha, a comb, which is further covered by a turban.
Each article of faith has its own spiritual significance to Sikhs. The Kirpan is known to symbolise pride and self-reliance, as well as the willingness to defend the weak and the oppressed. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)
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