LESSON OF THE MONTH
Sacred Blade at Heart of School Dispute

This lesson was taken from CRFC’s VOICE (Violence Prevention Outcomes in Civic Education) program, in which fifth graders learn about law and government, learn how to resolve conflict peacefully, and engaged in community service. VOICE was developed by CRFC in conjunction with the Youth Education for Citizenship Committee of the American Bar Association, with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

OVERVIEW

This lesson -- where a principal (the school) must decide how to allow his or her students to practice their religion and how to keep his or her school peaceful and safe for everyone—illustrates the problems which occasionally face the government as it attempts to carry out its obligations while respecting the rights of citizens.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Begin by explaining that one of the rights that our Constitution guarantees is the right to freedom of religion. The government cannot stop you from practicing your religion. The Preamble to the Constitution also says that government has the responsibility for insuring "domestic tranquility," providing for the "common defense" (safety), and promoting the "general welfare" (helping everyone). Sometimes government has a hard time doing all of these things at once.
  2. Introduce the story "Sacred Blade at Heart of School Dispute" (student material) in one of two wash: read it to the class and check for understanding or pair students with different roles—one to summarize, and the other to question. (Suggestions: summarizer is the one who most recently had a birthday, is wearing the most white, etc.)
  3. Create groups of two to four. Each group must prepare to participate in a mediation session. The principal has been asked to mediate between Rajinder’s parents, who want him to wear the kirpan to school, and other parents, who are worried that their children could be hurt our could think that the "no weapons" rule doesn’t have to be obeyed. Follow the instructions in the student material. Then either redivide everyone up into triads by lining students up in to three rows (first row=Rajinder’s parents, second row=principal, third row=other parents) or select three or four people to role play the mediation in front of the class.
NOTE: This lesson is based on an actual 1994 California case. The court ruled that Rajinder had the right to wear the kirpan provided it did not endanger anyone at school. Several other school districts allow students to wear their kirpans to school. One school district insisted that the kirpan be put in its jacket so that it couldn’t be removed and blunted the end of the knife, making it harmless.

©1997 Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago
We grant permission to reproduce this lesson for distribution to students, other school site personnel and district administrators. Any other reproduction or distribution requires the approval of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago.

Student Handout


SACRED BLADE AT HEART OF SCHOOL DISPUTE


Fifth grader Rajinder Singh Cheema was playing basketball on the school playground. He had the ball and jumped up toward the hoop aiming for the basket. His shirt slid up. Under his shirt was a small knife hanging strapped to his chest in its case. The school in California had a rule that said no weapons were allowed.

When the principal asked him why he had brought the knife to school, Rajinder explained that it was part of his religion. Rajinder is a Sikh, a religion founded in India 500 years ago. There are about 100,000 Sikhs in the U.S.

The knife (called a kirpan ) symbolizes the religious duty to help people in need. It's a sacred symbol. When Rajinder was baptized, he was told not to pull it out and never to hurt anyone. The kirpan, a curved, dull-edged dagger worn in a case, hangs around Rajinder's neck under his clothing. The kirpan is supposed to remind the Sikhs of their religious duty to defend people who can't defend themselves. It is about as sharp as a dull knife.

The principal is in charge of enforcing a school rule. The rule says no one may bring a weapon to school. The purpose of the rule is to help keep the school peaceful and safe for everyone. Many parents are worried that their children could be hurt if weapons are allowed in school.

Should the principal allow Rajinder to wear his kirpan?

In groups of two to four, write down what Rajinder's parents want and what other parents want. Now imagine you are the principal of the school and you have been asked to mediate between Rajinder's parents, who want him to wear the kirpan to school, and other parents, who are worried that their children could be hurt or could think that the "no weapons" rule doesn't have to be obeyed.

Make a list of the things that all of the parents might be able to agree about. Be ready to share your ideas with the rest of the class and to participate in a mediation simulation. Can a plan be developed to satisfy all of the parents?





©1997 Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago
We grant permission to reproduce this lesson for distribution to students, other school site personnel and district administrators. Any other reproduction or distribution requires the approval of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago.


Last updated: January 2, 2002

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