Sikh athletes and spectators will be able to wear a kirpan, a ceremonial dagger compulsorily worn by baptised Sikhs along with four other articles of faith, at the London 2012 Olympic sites.
Britain is finalising security plans for the 2012 Games and last week dismissed concerns on security preparations.
UK defence secretary Philip Hammond told the House of Commons that ground-to-air missiles could be deployed, if necessary, to protect the Olympics in London, dismissing reports that concerns had been raised by the United States about security for next year’s Games.
The Olympics organising committee’s decision to allow wearing of kirpans comes after it faced severe criticism for awarding a contract to Dow Chemical for the Games.
Sikh athletes and spectators will be allowed to take a sheathed kirpan in as long as it is worn beneath their clothing and they can prove they also adhere to the other four aspects of their faith: wearing a kara (steel bracelet), kesh (long, uncut hair), kanga (comb) and wearing kachcha (different style of undergarments), a report in the Sunday Times revealed.
***
14 killed in big fire in East Delhi
Age Correspondent
New Delhi, Nov. 20
At least 14 eunuchs were killed and over 50 others, also mostly eunuchs, suffered burn injuries after a major fire broke out at a community hall at Nand Nagri in east Delhi on Sunday evening.
The incident took place while a three-day function for eunuchs was on. Around 500 eunuchs had gathered there. A senior fire official said 14 people died and 34 of the 50 injured were admitted to GTB Hospital.