Riverina community leader Parshotam Singh said the Kirpan knife was one of the five most sacred items that all baptised Sikhs must wear at all times, even while washing or sleeping.

Mr Singh said it was a holy symbol in their religion that represented the willingness to fight injustice and is only meant to be used in self-defense or the protection of others.

He said he was furious over the decision on behalf of the community, and would be appealing to the government to reverse the ban.

"This is our religious Kirpan. We must have that if we are Sikh," Mr Singh said.

"My people are very angry, so we are fighting. We will have a meeting in Sydney. The education minister should hear our opinion, but we have not been asked for our opinion."

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Mr Singh will be travelling to Glenwood, where a 14-year-old Sikh boy allegedly stabbed a 16-year-old boy at Glenwood High School.

Mr Singh said it was an extremely rare one-off incident which, according to local Glenwood Sikhs, involved a long-standing case of bullying due to his religious affiliation.

He along with several other members of the Sikh community will be speaking with education minister Sarah Mitchell, who has agreed to hear them out.

Wagga Sikh Amit Gupta said opinion was mixed among Sikhs he had spoken to, with some vehemently opposing the ban while others being more accepting of it.

"My personal opinion is whatever the decision of the government is, I'm supportive of that. It is of religious significance, but we need to take the larger community in consideration," Mr Gupta said.

"People who are very religious from the Sikh community say this is a part of their religion. Some of the families who are not so religiously inclined, but they do believe in it, their kids are not wearing a kirpan."

In an open letter, the Australian Sikh Association said they would be opposing the ban on the grounds of religious freedom.

"We call upon the state government to withdraw the ban and work with the Sikh community to arrive at a workable solution that guarantees the safety of all Australians while maintaining the right to practice our religion."

Ms Mitchell has already spoken with some Sikh community leaders over Zoom, and has agreed to further discussions in person.

Several compromises have so far been suggested, such as keeping the kirpans in a locked case or replacing them with a non-sharp symbol.

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