Sikh Heritage Month BC deeply disappointed with the upholding of key portions of Quebec’s Bill-21
Bill 21 is an affront to democracy, freedom of religion and Canadian values
(April 20, 2021 Vancouver, BC) – Sikh Heritage Month BC is disappointed to learn that most of Bill 21, a bill which bans the wearing of religious symbols like the dastaar (turban) by government employees, has been upheld. While certain portions of the bill relating to English language schools and members of the
National Assembly have been struck down, the vast majority of the bill has been upheld. Bill 21 is an offence to the principles of freedom of religion and equality, both of which the Sikh community, among others, has fought so hard to uphold.
“As a practicing Sikh woman born in this country, Bill 21 tells me that I am not welcome in Quebec unless I agree to sever a core part of my being,” says Mohnaam Kaur Shergill, a spokesperson for Sikh Heritage Month BC. “My articles of faith are not mere accessories that I don when it is convenient to do so. They are an extension of myself and the values that I stand for.”
By banning the wearing of religious symbols by government employees, Bill 21 essentially relegates religious minorities like Sikhs to the status of second-class citizens whose presence is unwelcome in the public sphere. At the same time, Bill 21 pushes the false and extremely dangerous narrative that
those who wear religious symbols are necessarily engaged in the proselytization of their faith, making them unfit to hold positions of power.
“Wearing certain articles of faith does not make me any less competent than a seemingly secular individual,” says Danish Singh, a Director of Sikh Heritage Month BC. “For over a century, Sikhs and other religious minorities have made significant contributions to Canada’s social, political and cultural fabric, all while staying true to themselves and the values they hold dear.”
The Sikh community in Canada is no stranger to these types of blatantly discriminatory laws. It was not too long ago that Sikhs were fighting for the right to vote and that the passengers of the Komagata Maru were refused entry to British Columbia. Even now, Sikhs are routinely faced with discrimination and forced to justify their existence.
“We are deeply concerned with the ripple effect that laws like Bill 21 will have in Canada,” says Jasleen Kaur Sidhu, a high school teacher and director of Sikh Heritage Month BC. “We worry that this bill will create an atmosphere of fear and division in Quebec, putting religious minorities in harm’s way.”
Sikh Heritage Month BC has put together a series of events throughout the month of April aimed at highlighting the contributions of the Sikh community in BC, and in Canada more broadly. These events aim to educate the public and create awareness around the resilience of Canadian Sikhs, and their commitment to justice and equality.
“We hope that British Columbians will take advantage of these events, and join us in celebrating the history and culture of the Sikh community,” says Danish Singh. “If you’ve ever wondered why we look the way we do, or why so many of us find ourselves actively involved in politics and social justice, then these events are for you.”
Coming up on April 25 and May 2, historians Paneet Singh, Naveen Girn and Milan Singh from the ‘Nameless Collective’ will host a series of virtual walking tours, guiding guests through the streets of Kitsilano, the Punjabi Market, New Westminster and downtown Vancouver. Entitled “Community Across Space” and “Rebels and Conflict,” these tours will feature the stories of early Sikh migrants, unearthing the rich history behind some of British Columbia’s most frequently visited areas.
The Nameless Collective will also be hosting two virtual discussions, “Pics or It Didn’t Happen” and “Bards of the Bunkhouse Bedside,” exploring what life was like for early Sikh migrants in British Columbia. Taking place on April 24 and May 1, these discussions draw on archival images, while shedding light on the everyday struggles faced by these early migrants.
“The Sikh community’s fight against oppressive government action is far from over,” says Mohnaam Kaur Shergill. “But our community is resilient, and we will persevere all while showing British Columbians how the Sikh community’s history in British Columbia is an integral extension of Canadian history.”
Sikh Heritage Month events will continue throughout the month of April. Information on Sikh Heritage Month and events can be found on our website at sikhheritagemonthbc.ca
About Sikh Heritage BC
Sikh Heritage launched in BC in 2018, with the purpose of celebrating the contributions and aspirations of all Sikh-Canadians and developing a greater understanding and appreciation of the community’s rich, unique and diverse heritage. Sikhs have been in BC for over 100 years and Sikh Heritage Month BC is an opportunity to showcase their contribution to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the province.
