PORTAGE (WKZO-AM) — A violent outburst at a Sikh temple on Cheshire Street in Portage sent four people to the hospital for treatment of knife wounds, but investigators say it wasn’t a hate crime.
Portage Public Safety says it involved kirpans and was triggered after a disagreement between members of the temple and guests from Indiana, who were refused an on-stage presence at the service. It happened just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Officers arrived and separated the antagonists.
The wounds were described as non-life threatening.
It remains under investigation and charges may be filed. No arrests were made at the temple.
The kirpan is a curved knife or dagger carried by Sikhs as a dictate of their religion. Two of the blades were seized as evidence by officers.
– John McNeill
