A Sikh in California has been barred from jury duty after he refused to remove a dagger he is supposed to wear under strict religious beliefs. Gursant Singh was told that he could not bring the dagger, known as a kirpan, into a Sutter County courthouse in Yuba City due to security concerns.

According to CBS News, Singh said he would like to be a juror, but would go to jail rather than deny his religious beliefs. Singh and dozens of supporters demonstrated outside the courthouse this week, demanding that they be allowed inside while wearing their ceremonial daggers, the report said.

Sutter County Court Executive Officer Mary Beth Todd said Singh was asked to remove the dagger due to security concerns.