Canadian Sikh body helps 9-year-old Sikh hockey player return to Ice

September 1, 2015 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

Edmonton, Canada: The World Sikh Organization of Canada has helped nine-year-old Shanvir Singh resume playing ice hockey while being able to wear his kirpan.

Shanvir Singh is an initiated or amritdhari Sikh and wears the Sikh articles of faith, including the kirpan. He was registered to play in a league organized by the Millwoods Hockey Association. After his first session, Shanvir Singh’s mother, Gurjit Kaur, was told that Shanvir Singh’s kirpan had been removed by the coach and placed in his hockey bag. Gurjit Kaur was told that Shanvir Singh would not be able to wear the kirpan during games nor would he be permitted to bring the kirpan into the hockey arena.

Gurjit Kaur contacted the WSO for assistance.

After initiating a dialogue with the Millwoods Hockey Association, it was agreed that Shanvir Singh would be permitted to wear his kirpan underneath his hockey gear, as long as it is wrapped in cloth and secured close to his body.

Shanvir has now returned to the ice and resumed his hockey season.

WSO Alberta Vice-President Tejinder Singh Sidhu said, “given that a hockey arena is filled with dangerous items such as hockey blades and sticks, the issue really wasn’t about the safety of the kirpan but more about helping to understand the significance of the kirpan and how it is accommodated in other settings. We’re glad that the family contacted us for advice and assistance and in doing so, were able to resolve this not just for themselves, but also for other Sikh players who might find themselves in similar situations in the future. We would also like to thank the Millwoods Hockey Association for engaging in an open dialogue and helping to resolve the matter quickly so that Shanvir Singh did not have to lose any playing time.”

WSO offers free advice and advocacy for individuals requiring assistance at their schools, workplaces or elsewhere with respect to religious accommodation issues

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status.

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Related Topics: Sikh Diaspora, Sikh News Canada, World Sikh Organization of Canada