A family’s journey from Paris to Bedfordshire turned distressing when Eurostar staff confronted them over the carrying of kirpans, traditional Sikh ceremonial blades, leading to an outcry over perceived insensitivity and alleged discrimination.

Karen Kaur, an initiated Sikh, described a tense scene at the Eurostar terminal as her family prepared to board their train back to the UK. According to Mrs Kaur, despite previous travels where her kirpan did not pose an issue, this time, the Eurostar staff demanded the religious items be placed in a security tray, citing them as security threats.

The confrontation escalated, Mrs Kaur recounted, as staff displayed what she termed “aggressive” behaviour over the kirpans, leading her young son to fear arrest. The situation only deescalated after a manager intervened, unexpectedly upgrading the family’s seats to first class and allowing them to board.

The kirpan, a mandated article of faith for initiated Sikhs, symbolizes readiness to protect and uphold justice and moral values. Mrs Kaur stressed that the kirpan is legally permissible in the UK, and she had not anticipated issues with Eurostar, especially given its legal status in international aviation since 2010.

Dabinderjit Singh, principal advisor of the Sikh Federation (UK), criticized Eurostar’s policy, which does not allow non-retractable blades but permits small, retractable blades under 75mm. Mr Singh argued this policy discriminates against Sikhs, whose faith requires them to wear the kirpan at all times. He called for a public boycott of Eurostar until they amended what he termed a “discriminatory” policy.

Eurostar responded, stating their security measures are determined by the Joint Security Committee of the four countries they operate within, necessitating restrictions on non-retractable blades, including kirpans. The company apologized for how the information was communicated to Mrs Kaur and acknowledged shortcomings in customer service.

This incident has sparked a broader dialogue on the balance between security protocols and the rights of individuals to practice their religion freely, particularly in diverse, international travel settings.