On 29 Sep, an editor of a Sikh news site in Brampton, Canada posted a video clip of pro-Palestine placing a Palestinian flag and keffiyeh (scarf) on a statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh located near Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Malton, Ontario, Canada. The Canada-based World Sikh Organization condemned the act, noting that it was hurtful to the Sikh community, but did not go into why it was offensive to Sikh sentiments in any specific detail. The WSO emphasized that the actions of a few individuals do not reflect the broader Muslim community. Indian media, however, is quoting Hindutva organizations calling the act a hate crime. Harmeet Singh Kalka, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee strongly condemned the incident, though there is no evidence that the statue was damaged or defaced. BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa called it a disgraceful act. The issue has caused consternation among the Sikh students in Canada, many of whom support the Palestinian cause (SDW Vol 1 Issue 9, Story 1). In another incident in New York, a Sikh woman, Prabhleen Kaur, was lent the Guru Granth Sahib from the Gurdwara Ramgaria Sikh Center and refused to return it. The police intervened and five Sikhs entered the house and retrieved the Guru Granth Sahib with decorum maintained. Kaur has been admitted to a medical facility for assessment. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has expressed support for the Naujawan Support Network in Canada, highlighting concerns over the challenges faced by Indian international students, including those from Panjab, studying in Canada.
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