The College of North Carolina at Charlotte has apologized after a video was posted on-line exhibiting a Sikh scholar who was handcuffed for carrying a kirpan, a non secular article that resembles a knife.
A press release launched Friday, signed by the chancellor, Sharon L. Gaber, and Brandon L. Wolfe, the varsity’s chief variety officer, mentioned that college police had acquired a 911 name on Thursday that somebody was within the scholar union with a knife.
“Throughout this interplay, the person was positioned in handcuffs whereas officers took possession of the article. {The handcuffs} have been eliminated after the article was retrieved,” the assertion mentioned. “Additional investigation confirmed the merchandise was a kirpan, an article of religion in Sikhism.”
Video of the incident was posted on the Twitter account @thatsamaan, and its person recognized himself as the scholar in query. The publish was broadly shared on Twitter and Instagram. NBC Information was unable to independently confirm the Twitter account.
“I wasn’t going to publish this, however I don’t suppose I’ll obtain any help from @unccharlotte,” he tweeted. “I used to be advised somebody known as 911 and reported me, and I bought cuffed for ‘resisting’ as a result of I refused to let the officer take my kirpan out of the miyaan.”
The police officer within the 44-second video advised the scholar he couldn’t have the kirpan on him.
“OK. You possibly can’t take it off me. You need me to take the entire thing off?” the scholar requested. He requested the police officer once more if he needed him to take away the kirpan and the gathra, which is the material that holds the kirpan and goes over his shoulder.
The police officer advised the scholar to face up and the scholar requested, “What are you doing to me, bro?” earlier than the officer advised him he was being detained.
Baptized Sikhs are required to hold or keep the 5 articles of the Sikh religion: kesh (unshorn hair), kara (metal bracelet), kanga (small picket comb), kachera (undershorts) and a kirpan (resembling a knife or sword).
The college’s information launch mentioned that knives or different edged devices are prohibited on campus, however that they are going to “use this as a studying alternative by partaking in constructive dialogue with Sikh college students and staff.”
UNC Charlotte didn’t reply to NBC Information’ request for remark, and makes an attempt to succeed in the scholar have been unsuccessful.
The Twitter person tweeted on Saturday that he did obtain his kirpan again.
Different members and organizations within the Sikh group voiced their frustration with the incident.
“We wish each Niner to really feel welcomed, supported and secure. We apologize that isn’t what this younger man felt in our union yesterday,” mentioned the college’s assertion, utilizing a nickname for UNC-Charlotte college students. “We’re dedicated to making sure it doesn’t occur once more.”
