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Politics
Renae Barker, Senior Lecturer, The University of Western Australia

Why a Queensland court overturned a ban on religious knives in schools

A Sikh man wearing a small 'kirpan' blade, one of the five articles of faith Sikhs must carry. Shutterstock

The Supreme Court of Queensland last week overturned a law banning children from bringing “knives” to school for religious reasons. This will allow Sikh students, parents, and teachers to carry a ceremonial dagger known as a “kirpan” at schools in Queensland.

Initiated Sikhs must carry a kirpan as one of five articles of faith. Those preparing for initiation, including school aged children, may also carry the five markers of faith. Many kirpans are blunt and worn stitched inside a sheath under a person’s cloths.

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