"I am thankful the Coalition gave my attorney the resources to help me carry my kirpan freely" Maninder Singh

"The resources the Sikh Coalition provided me were invaluable in resolving this matter."    Kathleen Guneratne, Defense Attorney for Maninder Singh

Hayward, California (March 27, 2008) - Prosecutors in Alameda County, California decided to drop criminal charges against Maninder Singh, a Sikh who was arrested for carrying his kirpan. The charges were dismissed as a result of a collaborative effort between the Sikh Coalition and Singh's defense attorney.

The Coalition has now successfully assisted in defending over twenty Sikhs from criminal prosecution for carrying the kirpan.

Arrested For Practicing His Faith

College student Maninder Singh, an amritdhari (initiated) Sikh, enjoys riding his motorcycle along California's roads.  Several of his friends also own motorcycles, and they often go riding together. 

On December 24, 2007, Maninder Singh was out riding his motorbike with a cousin and a friend.  Police officers pulled him over for not having a license plate attached to the back of his motorcycle.  During the course of the traffic stop, police discovered that he was carrying a kirpan.  The officers refused to listen to Maninder's attempts to explain that his kirpan was an article of faith; instead, they arrested him.  He was charged with carrying a concealed dagger.

Maninder's Defense Attorney Requests the Sikh Coalition's Assistance

On January 28, 2008, Maninder's defense attorney, Kathleen Guneratne, contacted the Sikh Coalition to obtain assistance fighting the weapons charge.  That week, the Sikh Coalition's staff attorney supplied a letter to the prosecutor, along with a twenty-plus page compilation of precedent and policy recognizing a Sikh's right to carry the kirpan.  According to Ms. Guneratne, the Sikh Coalition's letter made all the difference.  In February of 2008, Alameda County District Attorney's Office decided to drop the criminal charges.

The Sikh Coalition urges all Sikhs to practice their faith fearlessly. If someone tells you to remove your articles of faith, please report the incident at http://www.sikhcoalition.org/ListReports.asp.

A HISTORY OF SUCCESS: The Sikh Coalition Has Successfully Defended the Right of Over 20 Sikhs to Carry the Kirpan

New York City v. Makhan Singh November 8, 2001 - The Queens District Attorney's office decides to drop weapons possession charges against Makhan Singh for wearing a one foot long kirpan openly over his clothing in John F. Kennedy Airport.

Knox County v. Charanjit Singh Dhadwal December 6, 2001 - The Knox County Prosecutor's office drops weapons possession charges against Charanjit Singh for carrying a kirpan on his person while he was driving his truck through Tennessee.

City of New York v. Harjit Singh and Lal Singh Jassal January 2002 - A judge in criminal court in Manhattan dismissed criminal charges against Harjit Singh and Lal Singh for wearing a kirpan after learning that the kirpan is a religious article of faith.

Menomee Falls v. Hargian Singh August 29, 2002 - Hargian Singh was given a citation for wearing a kirpan in Menomee Falls, Wisconsin. At trial the judge dismissed the charges and apologized to Hargian Singh after learning that the kirpan is a religious article of faith.

New York City v. Joginder Singh October 31, 2002 - A judge in criminal court in Manhattan dismissed criminal charges against Joginder Singh for wearing a kirpan after learning that the kirpan is a religious article of faith.

Capital Federal Bank February 11, 2004 - A bank in Overland Park, Kansas allows a Sikh teller to carry her kirpan in the workplace after initially barring her from working there with her kirpan.

Scagville v. Avtar Singh and Hardeep Singh February 19, 2003 - Police in Scagville, Maryland release Avtar Singh and Hardeep Singh who they had detained for one hour after they received a faxed letter from the Sikh Coalition explaining that their kirpan are protected religious articles.

New York v. Kashmir Singh April 13, 2004 - A prosecutor in Manhattan drops criminal charges against a Sikh cab driver for carrying the kirpan.

State of Montana v. Sarjeet Singh and Gurnam Singh April 20, 2004 - A prosecutor in Big Horn County, Montana drops a kirpan prosecution against two Sikh truckers for carrying kirpans on their persons while driving through Montana.

Ohio v. Anoop Kaur Ahluwalia May 12, 2004 - Weapon possession charge dropped against a Sikh woman who entered an airport wearing her kirpan.

City of Bellevue v. Gagandeep Singh September 17, 2004 - criminal charges dropped for carry the kirpan by local prosecutors in Bellevue, Washington.

State of Washington, County of Kittitas v. Gajjan Singh Bal July 28, 2004 - criminal charges against a Sikh trucker are dropped for carrying his kirpan while working by local prosecutors in Kittitas County, Washington.

State of California v. Kamaldeep Singh August 4, 2004 -  criminal charges against a Sikh student for carrying the kirpan while studying in the cafeteria are dropped by local prosecutors.

State of Michigan v. Bhagwant Singh August 16, 2004 -  criminal charges against a Sikh for carrying his kirpan while waiting for his father in his car outside an airport are dropped by local prosecutors in Wayne County, Michigan.

Oregon vs. Gurpal Singh October 1, 2004 - Prosecutors in Roseberg, Oregon decline to file criminal charges against Gurpal Singh (Gill), a Sikh truck driver who was issued a criminal citation for carrying his kirpan, after the Sikh Coalition intervenes.

City of Los Angeles v. Baldev Singh November 18,  2004 - Prosecutors in Los Angeles drop criminal charges against a Sikh for carrying his kirpan after the Coalition intervenes/

AT&T October 24, 2007 - An AT&T in Brecksville, Ohio reverses a ban on the kirpan in the workplace after the Sikh Coalition intervenes on behalf of a Sikh who was working there on a H1-B visa.

IMF December 27, 2007 - The IMF allows a Sikh contractor to carrying his kirpan in its Washington, DC headquarters after the Coalition intervenes.