In a first, Indian migrant Parwinder Kaur sworn into WA Parliament by taking an oath on a Sikh scripture

Head covered with a traditional scarf and standing barefoot in the Parliament of Western Australia, Parwinder Kaur took her oath to become a Member of the Legislative Council by placing her hand on a Sikh scripture – the Gutka Sahib.

Parwinder Kaur swears in at the Parliament of Western Australia with Sikh scripture 'Gutka Sahib' Credit: SBS/Christopher Tan

While many people from the Sikh faith have represented their community in Australian parliaments, this is the first time someone has been sworn in by taking an oath on a Sikh scripture.

The Constitution of Australia does not limit the oath-taking to any particular scripture. Traditionally, however, the swearing-in ceremony takes place with the Bible -- the holy book of Christians.

During her swearing-in ceremony, Kaur quite literally wore her faith, with her Indian attire embroidered with the religious symbol Ik Onkar — a fundamental principle of the Sikh faith meaning “God is one.”

Parwinder Kaur, a migrant from Punjab, a northern state in India, is a biotechnologist and now an elected Member of the Legislative Council in the Western Australian Parliament.

Listen to the full interview with her via this podcast:

LISTEN TO

In a first, Indian migrant Parwinder Kaur sworn into WA Parliament by taking an oath on a Sikh scripture

SBS Punjabi

09:09Panjabi

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