WSO

Promoting & protecting the interests of Sikh Canadians | #AskCanadianSikhs | Sikh Youth Leadership Institute | Sikh Family Helpline | Sikh Mentorship Program

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

The continued rise of Anti-Sikh Hate across Canada.

Three teenagers have been charged with hate-motivated offences following assaults on passengers aboard Barrie Transit. In one incident, a 22-year-old Sikh man had his turban forcibly removed, beer poured on him, and was punched in the face and body while being subjected to derogatory comments.

These incidents cannot be dismissed as isolated acts. The growing targeting of Sikhs demands serious attention, accountability and action to ensure Sikh Canadians can live safely.

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

Lest We Forget.

Today, we honour and remember the courage, sacrifice and unwavering service of the Sikh soldiers who fought alongside Allied forces in both World Wars.

More than 65,000 Sikh soldiers served in World War I, and over 300,000 served in World War II, facing unimaginable hardships and making extraordinary sacrifices in the fight for freedom.

Their bravery, resilience and commitment helped shape history. We honour their legacy and ensure their contributions are never forgotten.

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

WSO wishes you and your family a Happy Bandi Chhorh Divas!

ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ!

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

WSO Ontario Regional President Jaspreet Singh sat down with @sikhsiyasat to discuss our recent report on India’s disinformation campaign against Sikh Canadians, the growing threat of foreign interference and its impact on Sikh Canadians.

Watch the full video: https://t.co/epr83DuIGi

Read our disinformation report if you missed it: https://t.co/jSt2Sp2mES

[Avi Lewis @avilewis]

Today I’m remembering the thousands of Sikhs who were murdered and displaced by the Indian state during the November 1984 Sikh Genocide.

The impact of that violence continues to be felt decades later by survivors and families still waiting for justice. Today, this is exacerbated by India’s transnational repression, including the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil and death threats to over a dozen Canadians, including former NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

Our party will continue to recognize this painful episode for what it is: a genocide. And we will continue to call for a full investigation to honour those lost and bring justice to their families.

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

⁨Brampton Hindutva Riots: Two Years Later, Nothing Has Changed

On November 3–4, 2024, pro-India Hindu nationalist mobs gathered at the Hindu Sabha Mandir, bringing violence and hate to Brampton.

Following hate speeches targeting Sikhs, mobs armed with wooden sticks and other weapons attempted to attack Sikh gurdwaras, vehicles and pedestrians.

Among those involved were members of Shiv Sena, an RSS-affiliated group linked to extremist ideology and intimidation. These attacks reflect a broader pattern of foreign interference from India, repeatedly flagged by the RCMP.

Two years later, the RSS and Shiv Sena remain unlisted as terrorist entities in Canada. Nothing has changed.

Canada must act and designate both organizations as terrorist entities.

*Video repost from 2024.⁩

[MP Amanpreet Singh Gill @AmanpreetSGill]

This week, we remember the thousands of Sikhs brutally murdered across India during 1984.

We honour the men, women and children whose lives were taken and stand with survivors and families still seeking justice.

#cdnpoli

[Sonia Sidhu @SoniaLiberal]

This month, we remember the innocent Sikh lives lost in November 1984. We honour the resilience of survivors and families, and reaffirm the importance of truth, justice, and remembrance. #WeRemember1984

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Forty-two years ago this week, Sikh families across India, and especially in Delhi, were hunted in their homes and in the streets.

Thousands were killed in just a few days, and most of the people responsible have never been held to account. We call it what it was: a genocide, and Ontario was the first legislature in Canada to recognize it as one.

On Sunday I joined the sangat at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Mission Centre to remember the lives taken and honour the survivors and families who have kept their memory alive.

I’ll keep standing with Sikh Ontarians in the fight for truth, justice and your safety here at home, for as long as it takes.

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

A great weekend of connection, collaboration and conversation at our latest Sikh Student Association (SSA) Roundtable in Ontario!

We brought together Sikh student leaders to share experiences and discuss the challenges facing Sikh students on campus and explore ways to strengthen communities across the province.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversations. We look forward to building on this momentum!

[Iqwinder S. Gaheer @IqwinderSGaheer]

For Sikhs across the globe, 1984 is more than just a year. It’s more than the decade that followed. It's the stories that we still tell, the pain that we still carry, the lives lost, and the reverberations still felt today.

[Prabmeet Sarkaria @PrabSarkaria]

Let us never forget the thousands of innocent lives lost in November 1984 during the Sikh Genocide.

We continue to commit to the ongoing struggle for justice and honour the courage and resilience of those who survived.

#NeverForget1984

[Sukh Dhaliwal @sukhdhaliwal]

This week, we remember victims of the 1984 Sikh genocide, where thousands of innocent Sikhs lost their lives in horrific acts of violence driven by hatred.

We honour their memory, stand with the survivors and families, and reaffirm that such atrocities must never be forgotten.

[Randeep S. Sarai @randeepssarai]

This week, we honour the thousands of innocent Sikh men and women who were brutally killed in Delhi in 1984 simply because of their faith.

More than four decades later, our hearts and prayers remain with the victims, survivors, and their families, who continue to carry the pain of this tragedy.

Their lives and stories must never be forgotten.

[WSO Charity @wsocharityorg]

WSO launched "I Can Do Anything!" our new children's book this past week! Through presentations, conversations and interactive discussions, WSO brought together Sikh students and community members to share I Can Do Anything! — our new bilingual English and Punjabi children's book celebrating Sikh identity.

These gatherings created opportunities for young Sikhs to see themselves reflected in the stories they read, learn more about their identity and feel empowered to embrace who they are.

Building a strong sense of identity starts early and we’re proud to be part of that journey.

These events were made possible with the support of the Government of Canada.

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

Repost from 2024: WSO delved into the archives to uncover footage of the tragic events of November 1984, a dark chapter in history for the Sikh community. Thousands lost their lives in a brutal wave of violence, their stories silenced but not forgotten. As we reflect on these four decades, we honour the resilience of those who survived and continue to seek justice.

The organizers and perpetrators of these horrific events have yet to be held accountable, perpetuating a culture of impunity. This environment endangers minority communities in India and extends to transnational repression targeting the Sikh diaspora around the world.

Never Forget 1984.

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

The November 1984 Sikh Genocide was a dark chapter in history for the Sikh community. Thousands lost their lives in a brutal wave of state sponsored and orchestrated violence, their stories silenced but not forgotten.

Never Forget 1984.⁩

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

"Extending these Rules for Children Contradicts Logic"

Watch this CityNews report covering the Quebec government’s proposed ban on schoolchildren wearing religious symbols and articles of faith.

WSO Regional Member Mehramat Kaur speaks about the disappointment surrounding this decision and the impact it will have on Sikh students and families, emphasizing that the Sikh community will once again be forced to fight for the basic right to religious freedom.

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

WSO condemns the Quebec government’s plans to ban schoolchildren from wearing religious symbols and articles of faith. Every child should be able to access education without being forced to choose between their faith and their education.

For Sikh children, articles of faith, including the dastaar (turban) and patka, are important expressions of their Sikh identity. Banning these articles would place Sikh students in the position of having to compromise their religious beliefs to participate fully in school.

WSO urges the Quebec government to reconsider this proposed ban and uphold the fundamental right to freedom of religion.

[WSO @WorldSikhOrg]

⁨Join us this November for our community dinners to have a conversation and reflect as we share updates on WSO’s work, discuss our priorities for the year ahead and continue building on the legacy of these gatherings.

We’ll be joined by special guest speaker Gurbaj Singh Multani, whose landmark case, Multani v. Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (2006), affirmed the right of Sikh students to wear kirpans in schools. His case established a significant precedent for religious freedom in Canada and continues to shape conversations around identity and religious accommodation.

Drawing from his lived experience, Gurbaj remains engaged in community dialogue and public education, bringing an important perspective to discussions on Sikh identity and religious freedom.

📍 Ottawa | November 18, 6pm–8pm
📍 Brampton | November 20, 6pm–9pm
📍 Edmonton | November 22, 2pm–5pm
📍 Surrey | November 27, 6pm–9pm

We look forward to coming together with our community to reflect, reconnect and discuss the work ahead.

Register here: https://t.co/4tbCz3rdDX⁩⁩