Melbourne, August 4
The Supreme Court of the Australian state of Queensland struck down a law banning the Sikh religious dagger (kirpan) on school grounds, calling it “unconstitutional”.
The state high court ruling came after Kamaljit Kaur Athwal took the state government to court last year, alleging that the ban discriminated against the kirpan, one of five religious symbols Sikhs are supposed to wear at all times. moment as part of your faith. .
Ruling in favor of Athwal, the state supreme court found the legislation unconstitutional under the Racial Discrimination Act, ABC News reported Thursday.
An initial court ruling last year dismissed the suggestion that the ban on carrying knives was discriminatory. But this week, three Court of Appeal judges ruled that a section of the Queensland Guns Act 1990, which prohibits the carrying of knives in public places and schools, is inconsistent with Section 10 of the Commonwealth of Racial Discrimination Act. 1975.
In response, the Queensland Department of Education said it is considering the implications of the court decision. “As this legal decision has just been handed down, the department will now consider any implications.”
ABC News quoted Athwal’s lawyer as saying the court had the difficult task of “balancing the human rights of people to practice their religion and express their faith with the human rights to the safety of students and teachers.”
“Today marks the day that members of the Sikh faith can practice their faith and participate positively without discrimination as proud members of their local school communities,” the lawyer said, adding that her client is pleased with the court’s decision.
#Australia
#Sikhs
#Supreme Court