Sikh man held for carrying kirpan

WASHINGTON: A Sikh convert was handcuffed and arrested in the US for carrying a Kirpan after a customer at a grocery store called the police. Harpreet Singh Khalsa, born Justin Smith, had been wearing the ceremonial knife every day since he converted nine years ago. Khalsa explained that the knife is part of his religion, before he was placed in handcuffs and frisked away. The 33 year old was later released without charges after police “confirmed that the knife was a kirpan and part of his religion, and not a threat to the community,” Baltimore County Officer Jennifer Peach said.