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Anti-Sikh Hate in Canada (also known as Sikhphobia) is the manifestation of hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Canadian Sikhs as a religious and ethnic group. This form of racism has affected Sikhs since Canada's Sikh community was established in 1897.

Background

Anti-Sikh sentiment in Canada has a historical and contemporary presence marked by several key events and ongoing issues. Early instances include the 1907 Bellingham Race Riot, where South East Asian and South Asian immigrants, mostly Sikhs, were violently targeted by white mobs in Washington (state), spilling over into Canadian anti-immigrant sentiment. The 1914 Komagata Maru incident incident further highlighted institutional racism when 376 Indian passengers, mostly Sikhs, were denied entry into Canada and forced to return to India, where many faced persecution. Post September 11 attacks, Sikhs in Canada experienced increased xenophobia and hate crimes, often being mistaken for Muslims due to their turbans and beards.

More recently, anti-Sikh sentiment has surfaced on social media, particularly targeting international students from India. These students have faced online harassment and discrimination, exacerbating their vulnerability and marginalization in Canadian society. These instances underscore the persistent challenges Sikhs face in Canada, from historical prejudices to modern-day discrimination.

Early 20th Century

1907: Disenfranchisement of Asian Immigrants

In 1907, British Columbia enacted legislation that disenfranchised Asian immigrants, including Sikhs, reflecting the widespread anti-Asian sentiment of the period. These laws were part of a broader strategy to limit the political, economic, and social integration of Asian communities within Canadian society. This was called the Asiatic Exclusion League (AEL) the aimed to prevent immigration of people of Asian origin.

After the Bellingham race riot on September 5, 1907, many Sikh mill workers took refuge in Vancouver, British Colombia. As South Asian and Sikh refugees arrived in Vancouver, AEL organizers pressed forward with a plan to march through the streets, waving signs and flags that called for “A White Canada.”

By stripping Asian immigrants of the right to vote, the government effectively barred them from participating in the democratic process and holding public office. This disenfranchisement had far-reaching consequences beyond the ballot box. It excluded Asian immigrants from serving on juries, thereby denying them a voice in the judicial system and perpetuating systemic biases. Additionally, the inability to vote restricted their access to certain professions and opportunities, further entrenching their economic marginalization.

In some regions, these laws even prohibited Asian immigrants from owning property, which limited their ability to establish stable, long-term communities. The 1907 disenfranchisement laws were a significant aspect of the institutional racism faced by Asian immigrants in early 20th century in Canada reflecting the broader exclusionary policies of the era.

1908: Continuous Journey Regulation

In 1908, the Canadian government implemented the Continuous Journey Regulation, a measure that required all immigrants to arrive in Canada directly from their country of origin without any stops or layovers. This regulation was specifically designed to curtail immigration from India, as there were no direct steamship routes between India and Canada at that time. The law effectively excluded Indian immigrants, who had to travel via intermediary ports such as Hong Kong or Japan. The regulation was part of a broader strategy to restrict Asian immigration and maintain the racial composition of Canada, reflecting widespread anti-Asian sentiment and racial discrimination prevalent during that era.

The Continuous journey regulation had profound implications for Indian immigrants, particularly Sikhs, who had begun to establish communities in British Columbia. It served as a significant barrier to their immigration and settlement in Canada. The regulation also set the stage for incidents such as the Komagata Maru incident in 1914, where a ship carrying Indian immigrants was denied entry into Canada under this law, leading to a standoff in Vancouver's harbor. The regulation was not only a tool of exclusion but also a symbol of the broader policies of racial discrimination and exclusion that characterized Canadian Immigration policy in the early 20th century.

1914: Komagata Maru Incident

The Komagata Maru incident of 1914 is a poignant example of racial discrimination and xenophobia in early 20th-century Canada. The Japanese steamship SS Komagata Maru, which departed from Hong Kong and arrived in Vancouver on May 23, 1914, was carrying 376 passengers, predominantly Sikh immigrants from the Punjab region of British India. Despite their lawful status as British subjects, the passengers were barred from disembarking due to Canada's restrictive immigration policies aimed at preventing non-European immigrants from entering the country.

The Canadian government’s refusal to allow the ship’s passengers to land was a manifestation of the broader racial prejudices of the time. After two months of being held in harsh conditions aboard the ship, the Komagata Maru was forced to return to India. Upon arrival in Calcutta, the passengers were met with hostility from British colonial authorities, resulting in violent reprisals, imprisonment, and the deaths of several individuals.

In 2016, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government formally apologized for the incident, acknowledging the grave injustices faced by the passengers and marking an official recognition of this dark chapter in Canadian history. The incident remains a stark reminder of the systemic racism faced by South Asian immigrants and has had a lasting impact on Indo-Canadian relations and the historical narrative of racial discrimination in Canada.

1915: Execution of Mewa Singh Lopoke

Mewa Singh Lopoke was a Sikh activist and martyr who became a prominent figure in the early 20th-century Sikh community in Canada. On January 11, 1915, he was hanged in Vancouver for the assassination of William C. Hopkinson, an immigration inspector and undercover agent for the British Indian government. Hopkinson was notorious for his efforts to suppress Sikh nationalist activities and was involved in the Ghadar Movement's crackdown, which aimed to overthrow British rule in India. Singh's assassination of Hopkinson was a response to the oppressive measures taken against the Sikh community and its leaders, who faced discrimination and surveillance due to their nationalist sentiments.

This event was deeply intertwined with the broader context of anti-Sikh sentiment in Canada, where Sikhs, along with other South Asian immigrants, were subjected to racism, exclusionary immigration policies, and social marginalization. Singh's execution was seen by many as a martyrdom in the struggle against both British colonialism and the systemic racism prevalent in Canadian society at the time.

Labour Market Restrictions

Throughout the early 20th century, Sikhs, along with other Asian immigrants, faced significant obstacles in the labour market. They were often confined to low-paying, menial jobs and encountered hostility and discrimination from white labour unions. Exclusionary policies and societal prejudices restricted their employment opportunities, limiting them to sectors like agriculture, lumber mills, and railway construction, where they endured harsh working conditions and exploitation. This systemic discrimination not only hindered their economic prospects but also reinforced broader societal biases, perpetuating a cycle of marginalization and inequality for Asian communities in North America.

Propaganda and Public Sentiment

During the early 20th century, newspapers and political figures often depicted Sikhs and other Asian immigrants as threats to Canadian society, economy, and racial purity. This racist propaganda fuelled widespread public hostility towards Asian communities.

Mid 20th Century

During the mid-20th century, Sikhs in Canada faced pervasive racism and discrimination, reflecting the broader challenges of immigrant communities in a society that was often unwelcoming to visible minorities. Despite their contributions to the country, Sikhs were frequently marginalized, encountering significant barriers to employment, housing, and social acceptance.

Employment discrimination was particularly rampant, with many Sikh men being denied jobs or promotions because of their turbans and beards, which were seen as incompatible with mainstream Canadian norms. In public spaces, Sikhs often faced hostility, and in many cases, landlords refused to rent to Sikh families or charged them higher rents, exacerbating their economic struggles.

Late 20th Century

1980 - 1990

1985 Air India Flight 182 Aftermath

After the aftermath of Air India Flight 182, hostility towards Sikhs in Canada increased significantly, driven by a surge in suspicion and prejudice against the community. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Sikhs across the country experienced heightened discrimination and racism. Many faced harassment in public spaces, while Sikh-owned businesses were boycotted, and gurdwaras (Sikh temples) became targets of vandalism and arson. The media’s portrayal of Sikhs often unfairly linked the community with violence and extremism, which further deepened public mistrust. Despite the Sikh community's widespread condemnation of the attack, they faced a challenging period marked by fear, prejudice, and social marginalization in Canada.

1990 - 2000

1990 Herman Bittner Calendar Controversy

In Winnipeg and Calgary, authorities considered criminal charges against individuals who created and distributed an anti-Sikh calendar that portrayed a turbaned Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer alongside the derogatory question, "Is this Canadian, or does this make you Sikh?" The calendar, produced by Herman Bittner of Langdon, stirred significant controversy and concerns about inciting hatred. The calendar's distribution and the offensive portrayal prompted meetings between justice officials and Sikh representatives, who emphasized the need for legal action to address and curb such racist actions.

1999 Sikh Caretaker Murder

In 1999, five White supremacists in British Columbia were sentenced for the killing of 65-year-old Sikh caretaker Nirmal Singh Gill. Lee Nikkel, 18, and Robert Kluch, 26, received 15-year sentences plus 18 months already served, for initiating and carrying out the attack. Radoslaw Synderek, 24, Daniel Miloszewski, 22, and Nathan LeBlanc, 27, were each sentenced to 12 years. Judge William Stewart condemned the crime as repugnant and racially motivated, hoping the sentences would deter violent hate crimes. The Sikh community and friends of Gill viewed the sentencing as justice served.

21st Century

2000 - 2010

2008 Transport Canada Racist Email

Following a CBC News report on a racist song shared within Transport Canada’s no-fly list office in 2008, the World Sikh Organisation wrote to Transport Minister Marc Garneau expressing concern over the handling of the matter. The email containing offensive lyrics about Sikhs was investigated only last year, and the author, Mark Haynes, faced no disciplinary action.

2010 - 2020

2015 Edmonton, Calgary Gurdwara Vandalism

The Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in South Edmonton was vandalized with racist graffiti, including the phrase "Leave Canada." The gurdwara's management is addressing the incident with grace, emphasizing education and community outreach as ways to combat ignorance. Community members are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around gurdwaras to the authorities.

2017 Jagmeet Singh Racially Abused

During a public event in Brampton, Ontario, a heckler hurled racist comments at Canadian Sikh politician Jagmeet Singh, accusing him of supporting Sharia law and being a Muslim. Despite her outburst, the heckler later claimed she was not racist. The incident sparked widespread condemnation and highlighted ongoing issues of racism and ignorance.

2017 Surrey, British Colombia Racist Graffiti

Racist graffiti targeting Muslims was found on a Sikh realtor's bus shelter advertisement in Surrey, British Columbia. The vandalism, discovered on June 5, 2017, involved the realtor's face being defaced and anti-Muslim slurs scrawled across the ad. Surrey RCMP investigated the incident as a hate crime.

2019 Montreal, Quebec Incident

On October 2, 2019, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh was confronted by a man in Montreal, Quebec who told him to “Cut your turban off.” Singh put one hand on the man’s shoulder and responded: “I think Canadians look like all sorts of people. That’s the beauty of Canada.”

2020 - Present

2021 Brampton, Ontario School Vandalism

in December 2021, in Brampton, Ontario, the Brampton Khalsa Montessori School was targeted with hateful graffiti against Sikhs, defacing the front of a ground-floor business beneath the school with offensive messages.

2021 Scarborough, Ontario Assault

In July 2021, a Sikh man named Harvinder Singh was attacked and beaten in Toronto's Scarborough, Ontario neighbourhood. The assailants, reportedly shouting derogatory remarks about Singh's religion and appearance, confronted him on the street. The incident, which occurred on the evening of July 3, 2021, drew significant media attention and sparked outrage within the Sikh community and beyond.

2022 Ron Banerjee Comments

On June 29, 2022, in a video on the YouTube channel 'Beat of the North,' Ron Banerjee, director of the Canadian Hindu Advocacy, was recorded expressing hateful remarks, stating he supports the killings of Muslims and Sikhs in India because "they deserve to die," while discussing unfavourable opinions about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

2023 Kelowna, British Colombia Assault

On March 20 2023, a Sikh international student was swarmed and beaten by a group of people who ripped off his turban and dragged him across the sidewalk by his hair in Kelowna, British Colombia.

2024 Scarborough, Ontario Assault

On the evening of July 16, 2024, at approximately 9:55 PM, Rupinder Singh was attacked and had his dastaar (turban) stolen while returning home from the Scarborough Gurdwara Sahib. The assailant, who was wearing a bike helmet, snatched the turban and fled in a gold-white, older model 7-seater vehicle, possibly a Sienna, which was trailing behind; the incident was recorded by the perpetrators.

Public Polls

According to a recent poll from the agency Leger for Association of Canadian Studies, 60 percent of the respondents felt there were “too many’ immigrants, an increase of 10 percent since February. The number was at 35 percent in March 2019, when 49 percent felt the right number of immigrants were coming into the country. That latter figure has dropped to 28 percent now.

From 2019 to 2022, the number of hate crimes targeting the South Asian community has grown by 143 percent, according to Statistics Canada latest report.

Organisations

Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy

It was announced during Sikh Heritage Month in 2024 by MP Kamal Khera of the Department of Canadian Heritage, that the Canadian Government will be putting forwards their first ever Anti-Racism Strategy and Canada’s first Action Plan on Hate.

World Sikh Organisation

The World Sikh Organization (WSO) was founded in 1984 in Canada in response to the anti-Sikh violence in India, particularly the events surrounding Operation Blue Star and the 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms. Established by Sikh leaders, it was created to protect and promote the interests of Sikhs globally.

Over the years, the WSO has played a significant role in advocating for Sikh rights, and religious freedoms, and combating anti-Sikh hate in Canada. Its efforts have contributed to the recognition and accommodation of Sikh practices in various public spheres and have fostered greater awareness and understanding of Sikh identity within Canadian society.

See Also

• Sikhism in Canada
• Indo-Canadians
• South Asian Canadians in Greater Vancouver

References

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