IndiGo pilot moves Bombay HC to carry Kirpan on flight

A pilot employed by IndiGo, India's largest airline (by market share), has approached the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, seeking permission to carry a 'kirpan' while flying.

In case you're unfamiliar, a kirpan is a short knife with a curved blade, occasionally worn in miniature form, representing one of the five distinguishing signs of the Sikh Khalsa.

What happened

• Angad Singh, a pilot at IndiGo Airlines, approached the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court.
• He contends that he should be permitted to carry a 'kirpan,' asserting his right to practice his religion freely according to Article 25 of the Indian Constitution.
• The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court heard Singh's plea on Monday (December 11).
• The Bench has issued notices to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, seeking their responses.

Additionally:

• The bench has scheduled further hearings for January 29, 2024.
• According to Singh, the Ministry of Civil Aviation's restrictions require revision or correction.

What's the issue?

Sikhs are permitted to carry a kirpan on domestic flights in India, provided it does not exceed a total length of 23 cm (9 inches) and a blade length of 15 cm (6 inches).

However, as per the guidelines, pilots are not allowed to board with a kirpan.

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