On November 15, 2024, École Salish Secondary published a school-wide announcement promoting a “Sikh Art & Poetry Contest” aimed at encouraging students to explore “Sikh history” by focusing on the 1984 Sikh genocide or the legacy of Sikh women. While the exploration of historical events through art can foster creativity and awareness, the assignment’s one-sided framing painted Sikhs as exclusive victims, entirely omitting the broader context of violence that affected both Sikh and Hindu communities. This raised serious concerns among parents and community stakeholders.
The assignment not only framed Sikhs as the sole victims of 1984-related violence, but omitted critical historical context, including the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, the targeted killings of Hindus by Khalistani extremists, and most notably, the Air India bombing, Canada’s deadliest terror attack, orchestrated by Sikh extremists in retaliation.
The contest also inappropriately politicized the venue by announcing that winners would be celebrated at the Hardeep Singh Nijjar Building—a renamed section of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, listed as a terrorist by the Indian government, was known for his violent anti-India propaganda and association with Khalistani extremism. Elevating his name in a Canadian academic initiative further politicizes youth education, it risks glorifying violent separatist ideologies and was wholly inappropriate for a public education initiative aimed at young minds.
Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) responded promptly by writing to the school administration and regional board. HFC highlighted:
- The Air India Flight 182 bombing—the deadliest act of terrorism in Canadian history, which killed 329 people including many Hindus and Canadians—was planned and executed in Canada by Sikh extremists in retaliation for the 1984 riots, yet it remains glaringly absent in school curricula.
- Teaching students only one side of a complex, painful history does not promote healing or understanding—it risks fueling resentment, hatred, and ethnic division.
- Education must prioritize accuracy, inclusivity, and critical thinking, and never be a vehicle for politicized or extremist narratives.
Thanks to HFC’s advocacy and pressure from concerned parents, the school administration cancelled the assignment. This outcome reflects the power of community vigilance and the importance of preserving academic spaces from politicized or extremist narratives.
See below on of HFC’s letter and public statement on X:
Education and Remembering Our History
— Hindu Forum Canada #HFC (@canada_hindu) November 21, 2024
We recently learned that École Salish Secondary has launched a contest for grades 8-12 to write poetry about the 1984 Sikh riots, with winners invited to Bhai Shaheed Hardip Singh Nijjar Building (Guru Nanak Singh Gurdwara). While we… pic.twitter.com/N30pC1MChs
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HFC's Core Message
“Every innocent life lost is a tragedy, and no life should be weighed or valued above another in our collective remembrance. Whether it is the 1984 riots or the 1985 Air India bombing, students deserve to learn the full truth—respectfully, inclusively, and without bias.”
This episode reinforces HFC’s mission to stand firmly for:
- Balanced education that reflects all sides of historical events.
- Protection of young minds from politicized narratives that distort truth.
- Honouring all victims of violence equally, regardless of community or creed.
We urge all public institutions to prioritize historical accuracy, resist extremist glorification, and promote true reconciliation through informed and honest education.
