Sikh Group Rebuts G&M Article on Nijjar

On Jun 22, The Globe and Mail (G&M) published an in-depth article titled The Nijjar Enigma on Hardeep Singh Nijjar and his actions until his murder in June 2023. The article interspersed with pictures, sketches Nijjar’s past in India shaped by ‘Sikh grievances with Delhi,’ Nijjar’s fascination with Sikh fighters, his arrival in Canada and engagement with an armed approach towards Khalistan. The article delves into India’s allegations of terrorism on Nijjar – incidentally since 2007 when INC led govt. was in power – revealing a complex figure. The Canada-based World Sikh Organization (WSO) has responded to the G&M article, questioning the language and framing of the G&M article. It criticizes the portrayal of Gurdwara Bal Lila in Sri Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak as a site for ‘politically motivated Sikhs,’ asserting it is a significant religious site. It problematizes the article’s use of terms ‘moderate’ and ‘orthodox’ to describe Sikhs as ‘artificial and creating a false, oversimplified and damaging dichotomy that has led to significant stereotyping and real-life consequences for Sikhs in Canada.’... ‘Your use of the term equates ‘orthodox’ Sikhs with extremist activity and stigmatizes Sikhs who wear their articles of faith as radical or dangerous.’ …The same goes for calling Dasmesh Darbar, an orthodox Gurdwara… It asks if keeping long hair is orthodox, then Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the most ardent ‘advocate of Khalistan today, does not keep uncut hair or wear a turban. Would he then be considered a ‘moderate’?’ It says the G&M description of the Khalsa diminishes its importance and lacks context on the 2018 Public Safety Report, which was influenced by Indian interference. The exchange draws focus on the community’s ongoing struggle for accurate and fair representation of Sikhs in mainstream media.