Sikh Coalition and California Sikh Council Work Jointly to Have Kirpan Charge Dropped in Los Angeles

(Los Angeles, California) Prosecutors in Los Angeles, California have decided to drop criminal charges against Baldev Singh a Sikh who was issued a criminal citation for carrying his kirpan last month. The charges were dismissed as a result of a collaborative effort between the California Sikh Council and the Sikh Coalition. The Coalition has now successfully defended eighteen Sikhs from criminal prosecution for carrying the kirpan.

Baldev Singh, a resident of Los Angeles, was parking near a local immigration office on November 15, 2004, when a General Services Administration (GSA) police officer told him to not park in the place he had chosen to park. Instead the officer asked that Baldev Singh follow his car. The officer lead Baldev Singh to a local police station where he was arrested for a moving violation. The General Services Administration is a federal agency that obtains the buildings, products, technology, and other workplace essentials federal agencies require.

A group of police officers then questioned Baldev Singh, a naturalized United States citizen, for over four hours on everything he had one in the United States since he arrived here in 1992. He was then arrested and charged with carrying a weapon for wearing his kirpan. After spending the night in jail and posting bail, he was released around noon the next day.

Baldev Singh contacted the Sikh Coalition for assistance. The Coalition’s Legal Director prepared a letter to the Los Angeles District Attorney. The Coalition also decided to coordinate its response with members of the California Sikh Council, a very active local Sikh organization with members in Los Angeles. Nirinjan Singh Khalsa, a member of the Council, contacted representatives of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office to request that the kirpan charges be dismissed. After its discussion with Nirijan Singh, the district attorney’s office decided to drop the charges.

The California Sikh Council and the Coalition will be following up with General Service Administration officers to provide training on Sikhs and Sikhism. The Coalition thanks the California Sikh Council for its assistance in this matter.

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We urge all Sikhs to practice their faith fearlessly. If someone tells you to remove your articles of faith, please report the incident online at www.sikhcoalition.org/ListReports.asp.

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

"I can't thank you enough for all your help.  Its amazing that you are providing this service to the community.  Thank You."

-Baldev Singh

Success: Eighteen Sikhs the Sikh Coalition Has Successfully Defended from Criminal Charges for Carrying 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 a 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 Joginder 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.

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.