Canada has announced July 1 as ‘Sant Teja Singh Day’ by the Government of British Columbia. It’s a proud moment for the Sikh community. The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia has handed out a notification honouring the contribution of Sant Teja Singh Ji and Sikhs in Canada.
The notification issued by the Government of British Columbia reads, “Since the end of the 19th century, Sikhs have played a significant role in the history and development of British Columbia, facing many difficulties. A humanitarian, scholar and tireless advocate for Sikhs in Canada, Sant Teja Singh Ji dedicated his life to challenging inequality, fighting for a just society and serving without discrimination in accordance with the tenets of Sikhism. The Government of British Columbia respecting the history and culture of Sikhs declares July 1 as ‘Sant Teja Singh Day’.”
Teja Singh was a big spiritual leader of the Sikh community and fought for equal rights to the immigrants, especially those who started coming to BC from India during the end of the nineteenth century. Sant Teja Singh Ji is known as the ‘First Ambassador of Sikhism to the Western World’.
During this time, India was under British employment and most migrants started entering this area in a hope of better livelihood. However, they had undergone heinous racism as they were given any right for freedom. Immigrants were neither allowed to bring in their families nor did they have a right to vote. The administrations adopted several policies they wanted to keep Canada as a “white man’s land”. Also, they were aimed at restraining the permanent settlement of Indian immigrants in BC.
When Sant Teja Singh came to know about the conspiracy about the relocation of Indian migrants to Honduras, he awakened his community and helped in rallying people against it. The community’s opposition forced the government to renounce the idea.
So because of this every year, Sikhs commemorate Sant Teja Singh Day on July 1. Also, the Gurdwara Sukh Sagar Sahib Khalsa Diwan Society in New Westminster has come with this tradition. The BC government officially proclaimed July 1 as Sant Teja Singh Day, appreciating these endeavours of the community.
Meanwhile, the statement describes Singh as “a humanitarian, scholar and tireless advocate for Sikhs in Canada who dedicated his life to challenging inequality, fighting for a just society and serving without discrimination by the tenets of Sikhism”.
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