What you need to know about Vaisakhi: A time for Sikhs to celebrate

April is recognized as Sikh Heritage Month in Canada to honour the celebration of Vaisakhi, which is one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar. Vaisakhi is celebrated by Sikhs all over the world, including Canada, to mark the birth of the Khalsa and the establishment of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

One of the most important events in Sikh history is the creation of the Khalsa, a brotherhood of baptized Sikhs. This event took place on April 14, 1699, in the city of Anandpur Sahib, in what is now the Indian state of Punjab.

It was on this day that the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, asked for volunteers to step forward and be baptized into the Khalsa. Five Sikhs responded, and they were baptized in a ceremony that has come to be known as Amrit Sanchar. The creation of the Khalsa marked a turning point in Sikh history and gave rise to a new sense of Sikh identity and pride.

Sikhism is a religion that was founded in the late 15th century and is also known as Sikhi. It promotes values such as equality, social justice, service to humanity, and tolerance for other religions.

At its core, Sikhism emphasizes spiritual devotion and the worship of God while embodying virtues such as honesty, compassion, humility, and generosity in daily life. The religion is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak, the faith's first guru.

Today, Sikhism has about 25 to 30 million followers worldwide, making it the fifth-largest organized religion.

April is recognized as Sikh Heritage Month

The Sikh Heritage Month in Canada was officially recognized in 2013 by the federal government to honour and recognize the contributions of Sikh Canadians to the country's cultural, social, and economic fabric.

It is also a time to raise awareness about Sikh culture, history, and values, and to promote intercultural dialogue and understanding among Canadians of all backgrounds.

The passing of the bill was a significant moment for Sikh Canadians and a testament to their ongoing contributions to Canadian society.

It also reflects Canada's commitment to diversity and inclusion and the recognition of the importance of acknowledging the contributions of all communities that make up the fabric of Canadian society.

History of Sikhs in Canada

The history of Canadian Sikhs dates back to the late 1800s when the first Sikh immigrants arrived in Canada. They were primarily Punjabi farmers who came to Canada to escape economic hardship in India. These early immigrants faced discrimination and racism, including being denied the right to vote and being forced to pay extra taxes.

Despite these challenges, they persevered and contributed significantly to Canada's economy and society.

The first Sikh temple (gurdwara) in Canada was built in 1908 in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. It was called the Khalsa Diwan Society, and it was established by a group of Sikh pioneers who had arrived in Canada from Punjab, India, in the early 1900s.

The Khalsa Diwan Society was founded as a place of worship and community gathering for Sikh immigrants in Vancouver. It quickly became a focal point for the growing Sikh community in the city, and it played a significant role in the history of Sikh Canadians.

Over the years, the Khalsa Diwan Society expanded and established other gurdwaras in Vancouver and across Canada.

Today, there are over 300 gurdwaras across Canada, serving the needs of the Sikh community and promoting the values of Sikhism, including equality, social justice, and service to humanity.

The Komagata Maru

The Komagata Maru was a ship that arrived in Vancouver, Canada, on May 23, 1914, carrying 376 passengers, mostly Sikh immigrants from Punjab, India. The passengers of the Komagata Maru were predominantly men, with only two wives and four children among them. They were mostly Punjabis, with Sikhs comprising the majority at 337, followed by approximately 27 Muslims and 12 Hindus. While the passenger lists did not provide a clear breakdown of religious affiliations, it is known that most of the Muslim passengers were from the Shapur District of western Punjab, which is currently located in Pakistan.

The passengers were seeking to enter Canada, but they were denied entry due to the country's discriminatory immigration laws, which restricted immigration from Asia.

The ship was forced to anchor in the Vancouver Harbour for two months while its passengers fought for the right to enter Canada. However, the Canadian government passed a new law that increased the requirements for entry and made it almost impossible for passengers to enter the country. Eventually, the ship was forced to leave Canadian waters on July 23, 1914, and return to India.

The Komagata Maru incident represents a dark chapter in Canadian history, as it exemplifies the discriminatory treatment of immigrants from Asia at the time. The incident also sparked a wave of protests and activism among the Sikh community in Canada and around the world, as they sought to fight for their rights and challenge the discriminatory immigration policies of the Canadian government.

Today, the Komagata Maru incident is remembered as a symbol of the struggles and challenges faced by immigrant communities in their journey toward equality and inclusion. It serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting diversity, understanding, and tolerance in Canadian society.

In Canada, Vaisakhi, the annual Sikh festival that celebrates the creation of the Khalsa, is an important event for the Sikh community. It is a time for Sikhs to gather together, celebrate their faith, and reaffirm their commitment to the Sikh way of life. Vaisakhi parades take place in cities across Canada, with thousands of Sikhs and non-Sikhs coming together to celebrate.