Kirpan to be accommodated at Toronto courthouses

Toronto (May 16, 2012)– The World Sikh Organization of Canada has worked with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Toronto Police Service, Toronto Police Services Board, and the Ministry of the Attorney General to develop an accommodation policy for the kirpan in Toronto courthouses. 

The kirpan is an important article of faith worn by amritdhari or initiated Sikhs which represents spiritual wisdom and the duty to stand against injustice. 

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WSO connects growing racism to misleading news reports

Ron LeechRon LeechThe World Sikh Organization, a Canadian human rights group, is saddened but not surprised to hear racist remarks from the mouths of children and politicians after some news outlets misrepresented human rights rallies involving Sikhs last month.

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So what is Vaisakhi in Canada all about?

Submitted by WSO Editor on Fri, 13/04/2012 - 20:15

Sikhs across the world and across Canada are gathering to mark Vaisakhi or the founding of the Khalsa.  Many Canadians may be familiar with the sight of colourful Khalsa Day Parades to mark Vaisakhi but perhaps not so familiar with the significance and history behind the holiday.  We’ll try to provide some background information here.

Although Vaisakhi has traditionally been a harvest festival in Punjab and across South Asia for centuries, the day has a very special significance for Sikhs.  On Vaisakhi Day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh created the order of the Khalsa.  The Khalsa are those Sikhs who have accepted the Sikh initiation or “khande kee paahul” and commit to live their lives in the spirit of service to all, equality and compassion.   The founding of the Khalsa was a seminal event in Sikh history which gave the Sikh faith its final form. 

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WSO Guest Column in The Province

Submitted by WSO Editor on Tue, 03/04/2012 - 10:18

WSO legal counsel Balpreet Singh's commentary on the recent media coverage of the Balwant Singh Rajoana issue appeared in the The Province today.  Balpreet Singh argues that the media needs to present the story behind the story in order to fully understand why many in the Sikh community have rallied to end capital punishment and save Rajoana's life.

The un-edited and original version of the article is below:

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WSO writes to the CBC Ombudsman

Submitted by WSO Editor on Sat, 31/03/2012 - 12:17

In response to Terry Milewski's commentary "Sikhs rally for suicide bomber on Parliament HIll", the World Sikh Organization of Canada has sent a letter of concern to CBC's ombudsman Kirk LaPointe

WSO has been very clear that there is no evidence of extremism in the Canadian Sikh community.  Those who claim otherwise have yet to offer any proof.

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Mr. Smith's Conspiracy Theory...

Submitted by WSO Editor on Fri, 23/03/2012 - 19:32

We were bemused to see an article by the Georgia Straight’s Charlie Smith attempting to draw a link between NDP leadership candidate Martin Singh’s campaign and the WSO.  To illustrate the connection, Mr. Smith refers to an article posted on WSO’s site from 2006 about a visit by the Canadian Armed Forces to the Halifax Gurdwara which was then headed by Martin Singh.  WSO wasn’t involved in the visit in any capacity, but posted it as an interesting news piece on Sikhs in Canada.  Read more »

WSO Calls on India to Abolish Death Penalty

Ottawa (March 21, 2012):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has written to India’s President  Pratibha Patil, calling on India to place an immediate moratorium on the death penalty and cancel the death sentences of over 400 convicts who face execution in Indian prisons. 

Recently, death warrants were issued for Balwant Singh Rajoana to be executed on March 31, 2012 in Patiala Jail.  The Sikh community in India, Canada and across the world has expressed its shock and sorrow at the imminent execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana. This would be the first execution in Punjab since 1989 and the first in India since 2004.

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Appointment of Sumedh Saini an Insult to the Rule of Law

Ottawa (March 18, 2012):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has written to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, expressing disappointment at the appointment of Mr. Sumedh Saini as Director General of the Punjab Police.  Saini is accused of serious human rights violations including abduction, illegal detention and torture and is currently under trial for murder. 

After being sworn in for a record fifth term on March 14, 2012, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced the appointment of Sumedh Saini as the new Director General of Police.  Saini’s selection came despite five Punjab Police officers who supersede him in seniority. 

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WSO Develops Training Module with Toronto Police Service

Toronto (February 20, 2012): The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has worked with the Toronto Police Service and the Toronto Police College to develop a training module on the Sikh faith for the officers of Canada’s largest municipal police force.  The Greater Toronto Area has one of the largest Sikh populations in Canada.

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The Tragic Story of Kulwant Singh

Submitted by WSO Editor on Mon, 13/02/2012 - 16:31

UPDATE:  Kulwant Singh died of his injuries on February 14th.

On Sunday February 12, 2012 Indian media reported that 35 year old ‘dreaded terrorist’ Kulwant Singh was in critical condition after having been admitted to hospital with over 50 per cent burns to his body.  Jail officials claim that Kulwant Singh attempted suicide while cooking.  According to the news stories, fellow inmates and jail officials refuse to comment any further on what happened.

Shockingly, this isn’t the first time Kulwant Singh has been admitted to hospital by the police, fighting for his life.  Those who have been following Kulwant Singh’s story know that this alleged suicide attempt is likely just another fabrication in a long list of lies that have been told by the Punjab Police to cover up ongoing illegal detentions and torture. 

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