Religious dagger OK at Auburn elementary school

[DreamGypsy]

79. An article about a wounding with a kirpan...

...the only one I found from a quick search.

But first, a note about the meaning of the kirpan from wikipedia:

The kirpan (/kɪərˈpɑːn/; Punjabi: ਕਿਰਪਾਨ kirpān) is a ceremonial sword or dagger carried by baptised Sikhs. It is a religious commandment given by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 in which all baptised Sikhs must wear five articles of faith at all times, the kirpan being one of five articles.

The word kirpan has two roots - the first root is "kirpa", which means "mercy, grace, compassion, kindness"; the second root is "aan", which in turn means "honor, grace, dignity".

Sikhs embody the qualities of a "Sant Sipahi" or saint-soldier. One must have control over one's internal vices and be able to be constantly immersed in virtues clarified in the Guru Granth Sahib. A Sikh must also have the courage to defend the rights of all who are wrongfully oppressed or persecuted irrespective of their colour, caste or creed.

And here's the article, Toronto Star, April 6, 2010, Brampton kirpan attack renews debate over Sikh daggers:

An attack in which a Brampton lawyer was stabbed using a Sikh ceremonial dagger is raising fears about renewed objections to the right to wear the religious symbol. The kirpan is banned in Denmark and France, but is allowed in most public places in Canada, including at schools.

The crowd of about 150 people was yelling obscenities and threats outside the Sikh Lehar Centre in Brampton when three temple officials stepped out to pacify them.

Within seconds, one in the crowd, clutching a thick steel bangle, punched Manjit Mangat, the 53-year-old president of the Sikh temple, in the face. Witnesses say at least two men brandished unsheathed kirpans, the Sikh ceremonial dagger.

The next moment, Mangat, a prominent Brampton lawyer, was on the ground — his face bloodied and a 5-inch wound in his abdomen.

What was the cause of this attack? From Law Times, Injured Sikh lawyer has no regrets:

Manjit Mangat, a former justice of the peace who practises in Brampton, Ont., is also a trustee of the Sikh Lehar Centre, where protesters turned out on April 2 to demonstrate against the appearance of a controversial preacher.

“I don’t know who my enemy is,” Mangat says. “People are communicating hate on Facebook and on the Internet. It’s hard to understand the situation, even for me.”

Doctors treated Mangat for multiple stab wounds after the protest turned violent. Although he’s now recovering at home, Mangat says tension in the community continues to simmer.

Mangat started receiving demands to cancel an appearance by Darshan Singh in the days leading up to the event.

Singh once held one of the highest positions in the Sikh religion but has stoked controversy by suggesting followers of Sikhism shouldn’t accept one of its holy books, a view that resulted in his excommunication earlier this year.

Religions are not immune to internal struggle and dissension.