World Sikh Organization

Last updated
World Sikh Organization
Formation1984
Type Civil rights law
Purpose Khalistan advocacy [1]
Headquarters Ottawa, Ontario
President
Tejinder Singh Sidhu
Website http://worldsikh.org/

World Sikh Organization (WSO) is a Sikh religious and non-profit organization [2] whose 1984 founding goal was "to provide an effective, credible voice to represent Sikh interests on the world stage", [2] after Operation Blue Star. Its stated goal is "to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora", [2] and "promote and advocate for" human rights. [2] Tejinder Singh Sidhu currently serves as President of the organization. [3]

Contents

History

The World Sikh Organization (WSO) was formed after an international gathering of Sikhs on July 28, 1984 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York which included several thousand people from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and several countries in the far east. [4]

The organisation was formed with two branches, WSO-Canada and WSO-America, and headquarters in Ottawa and New York.

The WSO and is involved in various community issues including the right to wear turbans, right to wear kirpans, [5] and Gurdwara management. WSO officials are chosen through a mix of elections and nominations. [4]

Violent speech during the founding convention

Ajaib Singh Bagri, a man accused of playing a role in the Air India bombing, and later acquitted, took to the stage and declared "Until we kill 50,000 Hindus, we will not rest" at the WSO's founding convention. [6] [7] Chants from the crowd during the convention included: "Death to them-Hindu dogs", "Long live Khalistan", and "Long live Babbar Khalsa". [8]

Activities

The World Sikh Organization has advocated increased religious freedoms. [9] It helped Baltej Singh Dhillon to fight discrimination and wear a turban in his role as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It has also helped Sikhs in Canada in court cases involving the wearing of kirpans. In addition it has supported other groups in asserting their rights, including Orthodox Jewish men wearing the yarmulke, Muslim women wearing the niqab, and a Scottish high school student wearing a kilt to his graduation ceremony.

Hamish Jacobs... should be able to practice his cultural background and honour his Scottish roots...a kilt should be one of those practices that is protected, just like the turban is, just like the yarmulke is.

— Balpreet Singh, Legal Counsel, WSO Canada [10]

WSO has been involved as an intervener in several prominent human rights cases at both the provincial level and at the Supreme Court of Canada, including Syndicat Northcrest v. Amselem [2004] 2 S.C.R. 551 [11] regarding the right of Jewish residents to build succah huts on their condominium balconies and Multani v. Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, [2006] 1 S.C.R. 256, 2006 SCC 6 [12] in which the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the right of Sikh students to wear kirpans to school.

During Justice John Major's Inquiry into the Air India bombing, the WSO applied for and was granted intervener status, [13] [14] and applied for leave to call witnesses who would testify about the role of Indian intelligence agents in the Sikh community in Canada and information the Government of India may have had about the bombing. [13] In its final submissions to the Inquiry, the WSO expressed its disappointment with the proceedings, including suggestions that there was "inadequate protection of witnesses" from intimidation. [14]

Terry Milewski reported in a 2006 documentary for the CBC [15] that a minority within Canada's Sikh community was gaining political influence even while publicly supporting terrorist acts in the struggle for an independent Sikh state. In response, the WSO sued the CBC for "defamation, slander and libel", alleging that Milewski linked it to terrorism and damaged the reputation of the WSO within the Sikh community. [16] [17] Canadian MP Ujjal Dosanjh and reporter Terry Milewski were also named in the suit for their alleged remarks in the 2007 documentary "Samosa Politics". [17] The court case did not proceed to trial and in December 2015, the parties agreed to unconditionally end the proceedings.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) worked with Ammerdeep Singh and the Yellow Cab taxi company to reach a mutually acceptable resolution regarding the company’s dress code and his style of turban. On July 7, Mr. Singh’s ID was frozen due to an alleged violation of Yellow Cab’s driver dress code. The issue in question was that of Mr. Singh’s choice of turban style. WSO worked with Yellow Cab to create a formal turban dress code policy for the company’s Sikh drivers. [18]

In October 2011, WSO helped Seneca College student Jaspreet Singh secure the right to freely wear his kirpan on campus, and worked with Seneca College in developing a policy document with respect to the kirpan as well as training materials for faculty, students and security. [19]

The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) and the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) announced the inauguration of the Khalra Centre for Human Rights Defenders in New Delhi during a conference held in collaboration with other human rights groups from across India on November 19 and 20, 2011. The Centre has been established to serve as a legal resource for human rights defenders who find themselves in danger or who are attacked and also to undertake research into human rights issues. The foundation of the Centre was welcomed by the human rights defenders present and all attendees rose to pay their respects to the memory of S. Khalra. [20]

There are WSO chapters in every major Canadian city. WSO works with other interfaith and human rights organizations to promote awareness and education about human rights issues, in addition to providing education about the Sikh faith. [21]

Khalistan activism

A 2007 statement from the World Sikh Organization stated that they were committed "to strive through peaceful means, for the establishment of a Sikh nation, KHALISTAN, in order to protect the Sikh identity and faith". [1]

Allegations of extremism

A 2007 CBC report described the WSO as an organization which does not advocate violence despite calling for an independent Sikh state, however it claimed that supporters and members of the organization have praised and provided support to people who have committed violent acts. Former head of the WSO, Daljit Singh Sandhu, praised Inderjit Singh Reyat, a man convicted of making the bomb used in the Air India bombing, describing him as a "friend" and a "good man". The report further connected members of the WSO with the Sanjh Savera, a Punjabi weekly operating in Canada; multiple WSO presidents and members served on the newsletter's advisory board. In May 2007, the Sanjh Savera condemned former BC premier Ujjal Dosanjh for objecting to a Sikh parade depicting Talwinder Singh Parmar, mastermind of the Air India bombing, as a martyr. The Sanjh's editorial further seemingly praised and condoned a violent attack on Dosanjh by a Sikh militant wielding an iron bar. [22]

The book Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism: Assessing Domestic and International Strategies published by McGill-Queen's University Press in 2020 claimed that successful Indian efforts against terrorism led several groups to operate abroad. The book labelled the World Sikh Organization as a prominent radical Sikh group within Canada, along with the International Sikh Youth Federation and the Babbar Khalsa International, both of which are included in the Public Safety Canada's Listed Terrorist Entities. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikhs</span> Ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism

Sikhs are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term Sikh has its origin in the Sanskrit word śiṣya, meaning 'seeker', 'disciple' or 'student'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalistan movement</span> Sikh independence movement in the Punjab region

The Khalistan movement is an independence movement seeking to create a separate homeland for Sikhs by establishing an ethno‐religious sovereign state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India. The proposed boundaries of Khalistan vary between different groups; some suggest the entirety of the Sikh-majority Indian state of Punjab, while larger claims include Pakistani Punjab and other parts of North India such as Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Shimla and Lahore have been proposed as the capital of Khalistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air India Flight 182</span> 1985 aircraft bombing over the Atlantic Ocean

Air India Flight 182 was a passenger flight operating on the Montreal–London–Delhi–Mumbai route, that on 23 June 1985, disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean as a result of an explosion from a bomb allegedly planted by Canadian Sikh terrorists. It was operated using a Boeing 747-237B registered VT-EFO. The incident happened en route from Montreal to London at an altitude of 31,000 feet (9,400 m). The remnants of the aircraft fell into the sea approximately 190 kilometres off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people on board, including 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens, and 22 Indian citizens. The bombing of Air India Flight 182 is the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history, the deadliest aviation incident in the history of Air India and was the world's deadliest act of aviation terrorism until the September 11 attacks in 2001. The mastermind behind the bombing was believed to be Inderjit Singh Reyat, a dual British-Canadian national, who pleaded guilty in 2003 and Talwinder Singh Parmar, a Canadian Sikh separatist leader, who was one of the key individuals associated with the militant group Babbar Khalsa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Five Ks</span> Five articles of faith that Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times

In Sikhism, the Five Ks are five items that Guru Gobind Singh, in 1699, commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times. They are: kesh, kangha (ਕੰਘਾ, kãṅghā (a comb for the kesh, usually w, kachhera, and kirpan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babbar Khalsa</span> Militant organization

Babbar Khalsa also known as Babbar Khalsa International, is a Sikh militant organisation that aims to create an independent nation-state of Khalistan in the Punjab region of South Asia. It has used armed attacks, assassinations and bombings in aid of that goal, and is deemed to be a terrorist entity by various governments. Besides India, it operates in North America and Europe, including Scandinavia.

Talwinder Singh Parmar Indian militant and Sikh separatist (1944–1992)

Talwinder Singh Parmar was an Indian militant, Sikh separatist, and the mastermind of the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, which killed 329 people. It was the worst single incident of aviation terrorism in history until the September 11 attacks in the United States. In addition, another bomb was meant to explode aboard Air India Flight 301 in Japan the same day, but it exploded while the plane was still grounded, killing two people. Parmar was also the founder, leader, and Jathedar of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), better known as Babbar Khalsa, a Sikh militant group involved in the Khalistan movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirpan</span> Blade (knife, dagger, or sword)

The kirpan is a blade that Khalsa Sikhs are required to wear as part of their religious uniform, as prescribed by the Sikh Code of Conduct. Traditionally, the kirpan was a full-sized talwar sword around 76 cm in length; however, British colonial policies and laws introduced in the 19th century reduced the length of the blade, and in the modern day, the kirpan is typically manifested as a dagger or knife. According to the Sikh Code of Conduct, "The length of the sword to be worn is not prescribed". It is part of a religious commandment given by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, founding the Khalsa order and introducing the five articles of faith which must be worn at all times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nihang</span> Armed Sikh warrior order originating in the Indian subcontinent

The Nihang or Akali, also known as Dal Khalsa, is an armed Sikh warrior order originating in the Indian subcontinent. Nihangs are believed to have originated either from Fateh Singh and the attire he wore or from the "Akal Sena" started by Guru Hargobind. Early Sikh military history was dominated by the Nihang, known for their victories where they were heavily outnumbered. Traditionally known for their bravery and ruthlessness in the battlefield, the Nihang once formed the irregular guerrilla squads of the armed forces of the Sikh Empire, the Sikh Khalsa Army.

The Akhand Kirtani Jatha, alternatively romanized as the Akhand Keertanee Jathaa and abbreviated as AKJ, is a jatha and sect of Sikhism dedicated to the Sikh lifestyle. The Jatha follows a strict discipline in keeping the Rehat of Guru Gobind Singh. They also enjoy an active style of Keertan recited by Sikhs in a collective manner in front of Guru Granth Sahib. This style of Keertan is relatively simple, and the entire congregation devotionally participates in singing along.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tara Singh Hayer</span> Canadian journalist (1936–1998)

Tara Singh Hayer was an Indian-Canadian newspaper publisher and editor who was murdered after his outspoken criticism of fundamentalist violence and terrorism. In particular, he was a key witness in the trial of the Air India Flight 182 bombing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dastar</span> Turban worn by Sikhs

A dastār is an item of headwear associated with Sikhism and Sikh culture. The word is loaned from Persian through Punjabi. In Persian, the word dastār can refer to any kind of turban and replaced the original word for turban, dolband (دلبند), from which the English word is derived.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sahajdhari</span> Follower of Sikhism

A Sahajdhari Sikh is a person who believes in Sikhism, keeps their hair and ties a turban but is not an Amritdhari. Despite not being Khalsa Sikhs, Sahajdhari Sikhs must still keep unshorn hair (kesh) and, in the case of male adherents, tie a turban. Those who do not are known as "Mona Sikhs" - adherents of the Sikh faith who choose to cut their hair. A Sahajdhari adheres to the principles of Sikhism and the teachings of the Sikh gurus but may not wear all of the Five Symbols of Sikhism. For example, Sahajdhari Sikhs often wear a kara, and must keep their kesh and turbans as a requirement, but the majority do not carry the other three of the Five Symbols and the vast majority typically will follow a non-vegetarian diet and consume alcohol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaswant Singh Khalra</span> Sikh human rights activist (1952–1995)

Jaswant Singh Khalra (1952–1995) was a prominent Sikh human rights activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikhism in Canada</span> Religious community

Sikhism is the fourth-largest religious group in Canada, with nearly 800,000 adherents, or 2.1% of Canada's population, as of 2021. The largest Sikh populations in Canada are found in Ontario, followed by British Columbia and Alberta. As of the 2021 Census, more than half of Canada's Sikhs can be found in one of four cities: Brampton (163,260), Surrey (154,415), Calgary (49,465), and Edmonton (41,385).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver</span> Church in British Columbia, Canada

The Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver is a Sikh gurdwara organization in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Milewski</span> Canadian journalist

Terry Milewski is a Canadian journalist, who was the senior correspondent for CBC News until his retirement in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Sikh Youth Federation</span> Banned organization in India

The International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) is a proscribed organisation that aims to establish an independent homeland for the Sikhs called Khalistan. It is banned as a terrorist organisation under Australian, Japanese, Indian, Canadian and American counter-terrorism legislation. The Government of India has declared it a terrorist organisation. While banned, the organization continues to receive financial support from many Sikh people based in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Sikhism was founded in Punjab in 1469 by Guru Nanak on the foundations that everyone is equal, regardless of caste, age, or gender. Both men and women are supposed to follow the Five Ks: Kesh, Kangha (comb), Kara, Kachera and Kirpan, and there was never a distinction between what a woman should be allowed to do versus a man at theological level. Men and women are treated equally in the temple (gurdwara), and everyone eats and prays side-by-side. Both men and women are meant to carry the Kirpan with them as they are responsible for their own physical protection, and should not depend on others. Sikhs are strictly against the caste system and many chose to use Kaur or Singh as a last name to push against the problematic caste system in India. There is only one god (Waheguru) in Sikhism and they are without form or gender, and everyone is equal in the eyes of God. Many Sikh women believe that this absence of assignment of code of conduct for a woman versus a man proves that their religion is historically committed to gender equality. Presently, the culture does not always follow these traditions and equality is often more true in ideals rather than daily practice. According to Kiman Kaur: "It is essential to take into account the diverse Kaur narratives in order to critically understand the violence Sikh women experience due to religious, ethnic, and gender minoritization through enabling more intersectional conversations."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-Sikh sentiment in Canada</span> Chronology since 1897

Within Canada, anti-Sikh sentiment has included hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Canadian Sikhs as a religious and ethnic group. This form of racism has affected Sikhs in the country since Canada's Sikh community was established in 1897.

References

  1. 1 2 Shani, Giorgio (2007-12-06). Sikh Nationalism and Identity in a Global Age. Routledge. p. 118. ISBN   978-1-134-10189-4.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "About WSO". World Sikh Organization of Canada. Retrieved 2009-09-24. The WSO is a non-profit international umbrella organization founded in 1984 as an international organization, with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, as well as to promote and advocate the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status. The WSO of Canada was registered with the Government of Canada as a non-profit organization, under the name World Sikh Organization of Canada
  3. ↑ "Our team". Archived from the original on 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
  4. 1 2 Tatla, Darshan Singh (April 1999). The Sikh Diaspora: The Search for Statehood (Global Diasporas). University of Washington Press. pp. 95–97. ISBN   978-0-295-97714-0.
  5. ↑ Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Afternoon session. July 13, 2005. Parliament of Canada.
  6. ↑ "CBC News In Depth: Sikh politics in Canada". 2009-06-01. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  7. ↑ "Air-India accused rallied Sikhs to kill Hindus". The Globe and Mail. 2003-12-02. Retrieved 2024-07-25. They say Hindus are our brothers. Many have said that," Mr. Bagri said at the rally. "But I give you my most solemn assurance. Until we kill 50,000 Hindus, we will not rest.
  8. ↑ Bell, Stewart (2008-02-28). Cold Terror: How Canada Nurtures and Exports Terrorism Around the World. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 23–26. ISBN   978-0-470-15622-3. A Canadian named Ajaib Singh Bagri took to the stage at the founding convention of the World Sikh Organization and delivered a sermon that seethed with rage."
  9. ↑ "NRI Sikh body starts leadership training programme for youth : Mail Today, News". India Today. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "Alberta high school student wins right to wear kilt - CTV News". CTV.ca. May 26, 2010. Archived from the original on September 27, 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  11. ↑ "Syndicat Northcrest c. Amselem - 2004 SCC 47" (PDF). CanLII . Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  12. ↑ "Multani v. Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, [2006] 1 S.C.R. 256, 2006 SCC 6" (PDF). scc.lexum.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Witness intimidation a serious problem, Air India inquiry hears". Canada.com. 2007-10-29. Archived from the original on 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  14. 1 2 "SUBMISSIONS BY THE INTERVENER WORLD SIKH ORGANIZATION OF CANADA BEFORE THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE INVESTIGATION OF THE BOMBING OF AIR INDIA FLIGHT 182" (PDF). www.majorcomm.ca. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  15. ↑ Milewski, Terry (June 28, 2007). "Sikh politics in Canada. Symbols and suits. Sikh extremism enters mainstream Canadian politics". CBC. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  16. ↑ Grewal, San (2007-07-11). "Sikh organization sues CBC". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  17. 1 2 "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - World". Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  18. ↑ "Yellow Cab turban dispute resolved".
  19. ↑ "WSO Helps Resolve Seneca College Kirpan Issue".
  20. ↑ "WSO & HRLN Inaugurate Khalra Centre for Human Rights Defenders".
  21. ↑ "Activities". Archived from the original on 2011-11-11. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  22. ↑ Milewski, Terry (June 28, 2007). "Sikh politics in Canada: World Sikh Organization (2007)". CBC.
  23. ↑ Martyn, Robert (2020-02-20). vonHlatky, Stefanie (ed.). Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism: Assessing Domestic and International Strategies. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. p. 75. ISBN   978-0-2280-0060-0. Successful antiterror efforts have forced several groups to operate abroad. Three radical Sikh groups in particular operate in Canada: World Sikh Organization (WSO), the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), with the latter two included on the Public Safety Canada's Listed Terrorist Entities.
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