It has been a tough month for Canadian Sikhs. The festival of Vaisakhi is supposed to be a time of celebration – when Sikhs have a public opportunity to share their values and explain their faith to their fellow Canadians. Instead, numerous incidents have occurred in recent weeks shifting the focus away from the Sikh principles of equality, compassion, freedom of expression, and religious freedom. Fuelled by misinformation and irresponsible leadership, public hysteria has grown over a supposed increase in extremism in the Sikh community. Here are the myths and realities behind the current controversy.
![Left to Right: Jagtar Singh Johal, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam [USCIRF Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) prisoners] | File Photos](https://sikhsiyasatnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Jagtar-Singh-Johal-Umar-Khalid-and-Sharjeel-Imam-USCIRF-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-FoRB-prisoners.jpg)
