Some Sikhs in Regina upset after Vaisakhi celebrations not allowed in legislature

A youth choir performs on the steps of the legislature during Vaisakhi celebrations on Tuesday, April 14. (Damian Smith/CTV News)

Members of Regina’s Sikh community gathered earlier this week to commemorate Vaisakhi, a traditional annual holiday. However, some were saddened to hear their celebrations were not allowed inside the halls of the legislature.

Hundreds convened on the front steps of the Legislative Building in celebration on Tuesday. Vaisakhi marks the birth of Khalsa, a tradition founded in 1699 by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji which encourages integrity and morality.

Khalsa, which translates to “pure,” is used to promote righteousness, equality and devotion.

A youth choir performed as part of the festivities. However, organizers told CTV News they would have preferred if the choir could have performed inside the legislative building.

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Manmeet Singh, a spokesperson for Sikh Society Regina, told CTV News the organization’s request for the choir to perform in the legislative building rotunda for Sikh Heritage Month was denied by building management due to it being “against policy for cultural ceremonies to be held inside.”

Singh claims another choir recently performed indoors for musical entertainment.

“We were told the province supports us, but that our hymns must remain outside,” he said. “When administrative policies are applied in ways that create double standards, keeping certain communities on the outside looking in, it is not just a bureaucratic rule. It is systemic exclusion disguised as polite policy.”

“To the allies and leaders who stand with us today, do not just applaud our heritage, but champion our equity, help us open these doors,” Singh added.

CTV News reached out to the province for clarification of any policy that disallows cultural ceremonies from being held inside the legislature.

In response, the province did not say if any policy exists, instead explaining that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan building management supports hundreds of event requests each year, one of which was the Vaisakhi celebrations on the legislative steps.

“The Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan building management was pleased to work with and support the Sikh Society of Regina in the hosting of their flag raising event in honour of Vaisakhi on April 14th, arranging equipment and access to the ceremonial platform in front of the Legislative Building,” the statement read.

The province also pointed to MLA Brad Crassweller attending the celebration, in addition to introducing members of the Sikh community in the house and recognizing Sikh Heritage Month in a member’s statement on April 14.

“Our government values relationships with development and will continue to develop with the Indo-Canadian community because it’s through those relationships that we can work together to build stronger communities, stronger cities, and a stronger province,” he told CTV News at the event.

The province ended off by saying it is “actively engaging” with those representing various communities to ensure “broad participation and representation” across the cultural and faith groups that make up Saskatchewan.

The province proclaimed April as Sikh Heritage Month following the passage of legislation last year.

“Sikhs are vibrant, hardworking and an integral part of the fabric of this province and the country,” Singh said. “We belong. Not just on the steps, not just on the outside looking in, but in the very heart of halls of leadership.”

Referring back to Vaisakhi and the Khalsa tradition, Singh said the Sikh community will continue its engagement in the community.

“Every time the Sikh community serves meals to the vulnerable on the streets of our cities, every time we advocate for workers and the marginalized, and every time we challenge exclusionary policies to ensure our youth have a voice, that is the Khalsa value system in action,” he said.

“We do not just pray for a city without sorrow. We actively organize, serve, and fight to create it right here in Saskatchewan and in Canada.”

The Sikh community in Saskatchewan is small but looks to make a long-lasting mark in the province.

According to the 2021 census, there are just over 9,000 Sikhs living in the province, representing 0.8 per cent of its population.