Sikhs Demand Hilbert’s Removal for Slur on Jagmeet Singh

Local and national Sikh organizations in Canada are demanding the removal of Saskatchewan Member of the Legislative Assembly Racquel Hilbert, from the Saskatchewan Party, after she labelled federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh ‘a terrorist’ during a 25 Mar debate on the provincial budget. Critics called her remark hate speech that inflicts deep hurt on the community, especially during Sikh Heritage Month. Hilbert’s written apology—deemed insufficient by many—has prompted the Sikh Society of Saskatchewan and the World Sikh Organization of Canada to seek her formal censure and mandatory anti-racism training for her party members. In parallel, a multi-part series by Prabhjot Paul Singh titled East Indians in Canada has highlighted the significant contributions of Panjabi pioneers. The series opens by paying homage to Giani Naranjan Singh Grewall, Canada’s first East Indian elected official, who migrated from Dhudike village in 1925. He established himself as a union leader in Mission, British Columbia, and set the stage for subsequent political activism. It recounts how trailblazing women politicians like Ruby Kaur Dhalla and Neena (Narinder) Kaur Grewal broke barriers on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill. Another part highlights a landmark victory in 1993 when a turbaned Sikh Gurbax Singh Malhi was elected to the House of Commons for the first time, establishing the turban as a respected emblem in Canadian parliamentary culture. The narrative turns to Nagar Kirtan processions that consolidated the political will of East Indians facing early migrant hardships and blatant discrimination, including signboards that read Dogs and Indians are not welcome, ultimately fostering unity and resilience. Collectively, these stories illustrate how contemporary controversies intertwine with a rich legacy of perseverance and political contribution, reaffirming the robust and evolving role of the Sikh and broader East Indian communities in shaping Canada’s multicultural identity.