Canada should allow cadet unit to be called the Surrey Sikhs

Seaforth Highlanders cadet Catherine Chernoff stands guard during Vimy Ridge Day at Vancouver’s Victory Square on April 9. Our editorial yesterday asked, if the Seaforths can wear kilts and link themselves to Scotland, why can’t a cadet unit be the Surrey Sikhs? (Ward Perrin/PNG FILES)

A battle is brewing over a decision by the department of national defence to reject plans by a Surrey cadet group to call itself the 3300 British Columbian Royal Army Cadet (Surrey Sikhs). Department spokeswoman Kimberly Caron said the name was rejected because using the word “Sikh” — even though the group is comprised of Sikh cadets — wasn’t “all-inclusive.”

Inclusiveness, of course, is a good thing, especially for a government-supported group. But if using the word “Sikh” in the group’s title isn’t “inclusive,” what are we to make of the numerous Canadian military outfits with ethnic names? We found at least 15 in Canada’s army alone, including the Seaforth Highlanders in Vancouver, the Canadian Scottish Regiment in Victoria and Nanaimo, the Calgary Highlanders, Sudbury’s Irish Regiment of Canada, and even the 1st Hussars of London and Sarnia, Ont., whose name descends from Hungarian light cavalry of the 15th century.

Sikhs have as fierce and proud fighting reputation as the Scots or the Irish, and adding ethnic names to military units has always been about instilling pride and camaraderie within the ranks. In the same way many non-Scottish Canadians have served bravely and with pride in various units called the “Highlanders,” so will non-Sikh cadets in a unit named the “Surrey Sikhs.” Allowing the name would be the proper — and particularly Canadian — thing to do.

Do you agree? Vote in The Province’s poll here.

ed says:

October 2, 2012 at 10:35 am

in your paper this was printed – it says sikh is religion – but you say it is a nation

this is what causes fears and misunderstandings – which leads to racism – members of a religion given the ability to sway the truth thru online and print venues –

Indian media outlet Saanj News said the Sikh clergy “imposed religious punishment on Jarnail Singh Bhandal to enable him to rejoin the Sikh faith. Bhandal was asked to clean utensils in the community kitchen of Golden Temple, to dust shoes of visiting devotees and to carry out the same job in different Gurdwaras in Canada at least for four Sundays.”

Akal Takhat Bhai Ranjit Singh, then Jathedar (head) of the Sikh faith, had excommunicated Bhandal for arranging community kitchen (langar) on tables and chairs instead of on the floor, as Sikh tradition dictates. Other Vancouver-area Sikhs were excommunicated as well: Kashmir Singh Dhaliwal, Giani Harkirat Singh, Balwant Singh Gill and journalist Tara Singh Hayer, who was killed in 1998.

Gina says:

October 1, 2012 at 4:34 pm

Again, Sikh refers to religion where as scottish refers to nationality. So, using Sikh in the title would still be holding religious base. However, if they want to say Indian Cadets, then they would be in the position to actually use the above stated argument; otherwise, its flawed.

Info says:

October 1, 2012 at 8:04 pm

Sikhs are a nation without geographical boundaries. Their margins do not need latitudes or longtitudes. Theirs is a nation bound by the same values as the Canadian military.

ed says:

October 2, 2012 at 10:17 am

i am not a sikh

can someone defien to me – if Sikh is a relgion or a nation – i am getting confused

all i can see by my investigation is that sikh is a religion – and a religion that is defined by it ability not to segregate the classes – and from what i gathe – this is why it came about – to eliminate the castes = if this is so – then ithis request not contrary to the teachings