Possession of kirpans, batons banned in Bengaluru
The Karnataka government has banned the possession and acquisition of arms, including swords, machetes, kirpans, and batons, without a license in Bengaluru. The ban is aimed at giving police the power to seize weapons under suspicious circumstances, officials said. However, Sikh leaders complained that inclusion of Sikh religious symbol 'kirpan' under the ban violated the freedom of religion. 