Sikh girl denied entry to Rajasthan HC exam for wearing Kirpan, Kara; Sparks outrage over religious freedom
Babushahi Bureau
Jaipur (Rajasthan), July 27, 2025: A serious controversy has erupted over alleged religious discrimination after a Sikh woman candidate, Gurpreet Kaur from Pheloke village in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, was reportedly denied entry to the Rajasthan Judicial Services (RJS) examination in Jaipur for wearing her religious articles of faith — the kirpan and karra.
The incident took place at Poornima University, one of the designated centres for the Rajasthan High Court Civil Judge recruitment examination.
According to the candidate, exam officials refused her entry on the grounds that she was wearing the kirpan (a ceremonial dagger) and karra (iron bracelet), both of which are integral to the identity of an Amritdhari (baptised) Sikh.
Speaking through a video message after the incident, Gurpreet alleged that she was not provided with any clear guidelines about the permissible size or form of the kirpan or karra, nor was she offered any alternative arrangement.
She has since approached the Sri Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority, seeking justice.
Religious Institutions and Leaders condemn incident
The incident has drawn strong criticism from Sikh bodies and political leaders across Punjab and beyond. Akal Takht's officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, condemned the move and instructed Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, to escalate the matter to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister. He also directed the submission of a detailed report to the Akal Takht.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also expressed its deep concern. SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Grewal termed the denial of entry as a violation of constitutionally protected religious rights. “Such incidents cause emotional and psychological harm to Sikh youth. Our identity is not negotiable,” he stated.
He further urged Sikh communities across the globe to unite and raise their voices against repeated infringements on religious freedom.
Political Response
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal took to social media to condemn the incident, calling it “deeply disturbing.” In a post on platform X (formerly Twitter), Badal emphasized that the kirpan and karra are not just religious items but are symbolic representations of Sikh values and identity.
Quoting Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freely practice and propagate religion, Badal called on Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to take immediate action against those responsible and ensure such incidents do not recur.
He also appealed to the Rajasthan High Court to provide Gurpreet Kaur with a special chance to reappear for the examination in light of the unjust circumstances.
“No Sikh should face exclusion for observing their religious duties. The Constitution must not be sidelined in the name of procedure,” Badal remarked.
Chief Khalsa Diwan President and MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar condemns religious bias in Rajasthan exam incident
Joining the growing chorus of voices against the exclusion of a Sikh candidate from the Rajasthan Judicial Services Examination, Chief Khalsa Diwan President and Punjab MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar strongly condemned the incident.
Referring to the case of Gurpreet Kaur, the Sikh woman from Tarn Taran who was reportedly denied entry to the exam center in Jaipur for wearing a kakar (article of Sikh faith), Dr. Nijjar said,
“We are citizens of a free and democratic nation. Every individual has the right to practice their faith freely. Denying a candidate entry over religious symbols is not only unjust but also unconstitutional.”
He further appealed to the central government to issue clear directions allowing Sikh candidates to appear for examinations while wearing their religious symbols, including the kirpan and karra, without facing discrimination or undue restrictions.
Dr. Nijjar also urged the Rajasthan High Court and examination authorities to offer Gurpreet Kaur a fresh opportunity to sit for the judicial examination, ensuring that her religious identity is respected and her academic future remains unharmed.