Not talking about other weapons, but yes, at least everyone has access to a knife in India, right? But that doesn’t mean you can carry it out in the open and threaten anybody with it. Nah! We’d like to tell you that carrying a knife in India is an absolutely illegal thing and you can be charged for it too, no matter if it is for self-defense or to harm someone. Since it might lead to breaking the law, one needs to be very clear about what is allowed, correct? The guidelines about this are provided in the main law called the Arms Act of 1959, so let’s just get started with that, shall we?
The Arms Act, 1959 and Knife Laws
Just so you know though, in India, to regulate knives, the government has passed the Arms Act of 1959 which refers to a wide variety of weapons. These cover various types of weapons including sharp-edged weapons like knives. All in all, it is stated in this act that any type of offensive or defensive weapon is included in the definition of “arms”.
However, not all knives rate the same. The statute provides for knives where the blade is longer than 9 inches or wider than 2 inches to be prohibited arms unless they are being used for household or agricultural purposes. Like, if a person then takes such a knife exceeding these limits on the street with no valid reason, he or she could be breaking the law simply because of this provision.
If the knife is one of the items in the “prohibited arms” category you will also have to get a license to carry it, that’s how it goes. Thus, in case you have a big knife for a purpose like kitchen work or farming, ensure that its usage complies with the law or get a license if required.
What Are The Exceptions for Specific Purposes Then?
There are some exceptions in the law for specific uses. Household knives or those used in agriculture, even if large, are usually not bad. It is, therefore, the purpose behind the knife that essentially decides whether its possession is legal, you know?
However, any attempt to use the knife for self-protection, especially if it has no clear justification, can be deemed to be a danger to public order. All in all, yes, if the intent behind the carrying seems to be sinister, a person can be charged with a criminal offense.
What About Religious and Cultural Uses of Knives?
Yes, right here in India, in certain communities, knives as well as swords are part of the religious practices of the members. Just so you know, for instance, under Article 25(2)(b) of the Indian Constitution, Sikhs are allowed to carry a Kirpan which is a ceremonial sword. Still, the production and sale of Kirpans are also controlled. Sure, though knives may be in the religious or cultural aspects of many Indian communities, it does not follow that they will be legal to carry in all situations, that’s the thing to keep in mind.
