An exception in the district’s weapons policy that allows some Sikh students to don kirpans — sheathed blades worn as part of a religious requirement — was challenged by several out-of-town speakers during Thursday’s School Committee meeting.

Although the policy states the curved blade must be dull and no longer than 3 inches, and the kirpan must be worn under clothing and never drawn in school or at a school-related function (including transportation), Sikh families can seek an exemption to keep it sharp, noted Jason Alfred, one of the individuals talking about his concerns.

District policy does allow requests for exemptions but notes that the building principal will base their decision “on student safety for all.”

Alfred, who is an Attleboro resident and, like at least three of Thursday’s four public comment speakers, is part of an organization that has been speaking about issues at various school committees in the region, said the policy inclusion “crosses a line that should never be crossed” when it comes to the safety of students.

“At what point does the safety of the children inside our schools come before religious exemption?” he asked. “I mean, enough is enough.”

Speaker Andrew Kerr — who according to news reports has had a longstanding dispute with Attleboro school and city officials that has continued even after he relocated from Attleboro to Florida — said it is a matter of “consistency and fairness” in the policy. He said the allowance addresses the faith practices of 50-100 Sikh children and opens a “Pandora’s box.”

This policy creates a situation where the same consideration must be granted to people of other faiths, Kerr said, otherwise it is religious discrimination.

Kerr said there are 2,200 Catholic school-age students in Hopkinton, and some could seek to carry holy lances (small symbolic blades).

Kerr said, “You cannot open the door for one faith and slam it shut on another. That’s textbook unequal treatment under the Constitution.”

He said that even if only a fraction of families requested a religious blade be allowed, the consequences could be “hundreds of students carrying knives” in schools.

Joey Ford, who identified himself as the founder and leader of a school watchdog group, said it was “outrageous,” to allow any type of weapon into schools. He asked what would happen if a Sikh student with autism had to be restrained and if that would require an entirely different procedure. Or, Ford asked, what would occur if a Sikh student got in a fight and “the weapon was drawn.”

He asked, “How can we think of these more one-off cases and still make sure everybody is kept safe?”

Ford deemed the policy “very dangerous,” adding, “I don’t think this policy was well thought through. I think it was just brought in in an effort to bring some type of equity into the situation.”

Speaker Alexis Henderson, who indicated only that she was from Massachusetts, said that she understood the kirpan symbolizes peace and she is not arguing anyone’s “deeply held beliefs, but she cautioned, “Children don’t always make the best choices, and I would hate to see something that we understand can be potentially dangerous to become dangerous.”

She added, “Anywhere there is a weapon, there is an underlying threat of danger.”

Ford also said he heard that an art teacher in the district wants to “use some different pronouns.” He said while “we shouldn’t discriminate against these people whatsoever; she should be able to get a job,” to “compel students to use mixed pronouns is a violation of our first amendment; it goes completely against our values in this country, and I would advise strictly against doing this.”

School Committee member Nancy Cavanaugh noted that the committee could not answer any questions raised during the public comment period because the speakers were talking about items that were not on the meeting agenda to be addressed.

She added that committee members “hear and appreciate” participation by the public, including those from out of town.