July 25, 2010 Toronto Star Sometimes she is in the subway when someone pops the question. Other times she is in a fast food lineup. Once she was watching a movie in a theatre when a man came up and whispered: “Why do you wear a turban?” Mandeep Kaur Uppal quickly took him outside and explained that she is a Sikh and wearing a turban is a part of her religion. “I’m never annoyed because I want people to know why I wear it ...
The Ottawa Citizen By Balpreet Singh Boparai, Citizen SpecialJuly 16, 2010 4:03 AM As a Sikh Canadian, who was born in a Toronto suburb, roots for the Leafs, did law at the University of Ottawa, and works for a human rights organization, I'm astounded to hear claims from politicians that so-called "Sikh extremism" in on the rise. If that's the case, there's no word of it among the more than 400,000 members of the Canadian Sikh community. The only thing we see ...
WSO Encourages Phoolka to Continue OTTAWA(July 21st, 2010): The World Sikh Organization (WSO) encourages S. Harvinder Singh Phoolka to continue his struggle for justice on behalf of the victims of the November 1984 genocide of Sikhs. It has been reported that Mr. Phoolka has declared his intention to withdraw from the legal proceedings to prosecute the perpetrators of the 1984 genocide due to comments by Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Mr. Paramjit Singh Sarna. Mr. Sarna allegedly accused Mr. Phoolka of misappropriating community funds for his own benefit. Mr. Phoolka is a hero to Sikhs across the world and has for the past 26 years dauntlessly struggled for justice. His integrity and dedication are without parallel. WSO expresses its complete support for Mr. Phoolka and encourages him to continue representing the victims. WSO and the Sikh ...
Ottawa – The Word Sikh Organization of Canada is disappointed that both Stephen Harper’s government and Michael Ignatieff’s Opposition Liberals have failed to provide proof of the so-called Sikh extremism they claim is on the rise in Canada. The WSO, a human rights group, requested both politicians provide evidence to back- up their claims that there is growing radicalism among Canadian Sikhs. The Prime Minister’s Office responded with a form letter stating that the WSO’s “comments have been noted,” while Mr. Ignatieff’s office did not even acknowledge receipt of the letter. “Canadian Sikhs are experiencing a backlash because of these reckless claims made by elected officials. And yet neither the Prime Minister’s Office, nor the man who wants to replace him in the job, can be bothered to furnish us with evidence, ” says WSO Senior Policy Advisor Gian Singh Sandhu. “I think they owe every Canadian evidence that what they’re ...
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) wishes all Canadians a very happy Canada Day. Sikhs across Canada are celebrating this great country and their long history here. Sikhs first arrived in Canada in the late 1800s and have since developed deep roots and ties with this nation. Today we find Sikhs actively engaged in all facets of Canadian life from business to politics to the armed forces. One of the reasons Sikhs have formed such strong bonds with Canada is that Sikh values of equality, tolerance, freedom and respect of differences are also Canadian values that we see enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As we celebrate all that Canada means to us, let us also take a moment to remember those around the world who are less fortunate and do ...