Mumbai Airport Customs Returns 35 Sikh Religious Items Including Kirpans
In a significant move, airport customs authorities in Marol, Mumbai, have officially handed over 35 Sikh religious items, including sacred kirpans, to a community welfare trust. These items were originally confiscated from passengers during routine security checks at the airport. The action underscores ongoing efforts to balance stringent aviation security protocols with respectful handling of religious articles.
Respectful Retrieval of Sacred Articles
The initiative was spearheaded by the Sat Sri Akaal Welfare Trust, which has proactively engaged with airport customs to recover such confiscated items. S Puran Singh Banga, secretary of the trust, emphasized the profound significance of these articles. "When a kirpan is taken away, it is not just a possession but a symbol of faith. Our responsibility is to ensure these articles are treated with reverence," Banga stated. He highlighted that Sikh flyers often unintentionally leave kirpans behind, as these items are worn as articles of faith but are restricted on flights if they do not meet specific size and specification standards.
Banga further explained, "Every year, Sikh flyers unintentionally leave kirpans. While airport officials handle these items as per the security protocol, many articles end up locked away, unclaimed. Our trust has stepped forward to ensure every confiscated Sikh religious article is retrieved and given a dignified return or disposal as prescribed in tradition." The trust is currently requesting customs authorities to verify and identify all Sikh religious items currently in their custody.
Protocols for Dignified Handling
Upon identification, the confiscated items will be transferred to the trust and local gurdwara management committees. These entities will then undertake the responsibility of either returning the articles to the families where possible or conducting a respectful disposal in accordance with traditional practices. "All legal procedures, protocols and documentation will be followed," Banga assured, ensuring transparency and compliance in the process.
Broader Context of Religious Item Returns
This recent handover is part of a broader effort by Mumbai airport customs to manage religious articles found in passenger baggage. Customs officials have previously returned items such as holy books, souvenirs, and trinkets to members of Christian and Muslim communities. An officer involved in these operations noted, "We have returned copies of the Holy Quran and the Bible as well as zamzam water to passengers. The Muslim leaders even wrote us a letter of appreciation."
The officer elaborated on the challenges, stating that such items are often discovered in mishandled baggage and later retrieved, but passengers frequently fail to claim them due to their low monetary value. "In fact, the cost of collecting or shipping these lost and found items may be higher than the price of a new product. We sort missing items and appropriately dispose them, except religious articles," the officer explained, highlighting the special consideration given to faith-based objects.
This development reflects a growing awareness and sensitivity towards religious sentiments in aviation security, ensuring that while safety regulations are strictly enforced, the spiritual significance of confiscated items is honored through proper channels.
