Sihk kirpan controversy in Quebec

**Spc. Scott** · 19th January 11, 11:12 AM

Now mind you I have only met 3 total so this is anecdotal at best but this is similar to what they were carrying.

Now this might, and likely isn't, what every Sikh carries but I'm having a hard time seeing the problem with this. It's not as if Sikhs are walking around on a daily basis carrying a shamshir. It just wouldn't be practical.

**Lallans** · 19th January 11, 02:48 PM

There has been a huge multiculturalism backlash in Quebec: the folks there (1) want to preserve their uniquely North American French society, (2) look across the Atlantic and see what's happening in Europe and (3) have the lowest cultural birth rates in western society. I don't know how Scots would have fared in the same situation but anything that smacks of a threat in QC will be dealt with in short order- I guess the Sikhs were caught up in that. To add to the story, the Sikhs in question were appearing before legislators to discuss cultural issues and had called ahead to ask about the kirpans- they got mixed messages until they showed up wearing them and I guess got the definitive answer.

**Jay** · 20th January 11, 07:58 AM

Without trying to make waves with religion (Sikhs) or culture and politics (Quebec) I think the Quebeckers do have a point.

Personally, I am liberal in these regards. I live in a very multicultural area and I embrace multiculturalism.

That being said, we in English Canada have lost all sense of who we are. We define ourselves by beer and hockey. Some legacy for our kids.

Quebec on the other hand works hard to maintain their culture. No different than any other country in the world (save Canada, US, UK and maybe Australia) For this, English Canada call them racists, xenophobes and the like.

Is it so wrong to say "this is our culture. if you don't like it don't come here. Many places in the world will let you live as you wish. Just not here".

**Andy Proffitt** · 20th January 11, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Jay

Is it so wrong to say "this is our culture. if you don't like it don't come here. Many places in the world will let you live as you wish. Just not here".

They want to wear a ceremonial knife in their hair, not make everyone around them wear it. They aren't behaving like other groups and demanding that their religious views become law, they just want to practice their religion, which is all about tolerance and brotherhood and fighting injustice. Seriously, who gets pissed off at the Sikhs, its like getting in a fistfight with Gandhi.
Oh well, the Sikhs would be better served moving to a friendlier local anyway (pretty much anywhere is friendlier than where these are)>

**BoldHighlander** · 20th January 11, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Andy Proffitt

Seriously, who gets pissed off at the Sikhs, its like getting in a fistfight with Gandhi.

I don't know about that. I use to work with some Sikhs, and they were bad @ss mofos! Just ask Indira Gandhi, she found out the hard way!

**macwilkin** · 20th January 11, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

I don't know about that. I use to work with some Sikhs, and they were bad @ss mofos! Just ask Indira Gandhi, she found out the hard way!

And the Axis Powers in WWII...

**Lallans** · 20th January 11, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

I don't know about that. I use to work with some Sikhs, and they were bad @ss mofos! Just ask Indira Gandhi, she found out the hard way!

Yes and the Sikhs have been responsible for some pretty spectacular killings in Canada, including but far from limited to the 1985 bombing of an Air India airliner that killed 329 people (including 280 Canadian citizens) off the coast of Ireland. They are far from being a pacifist group but I personally still don't see that the kirpans worn by average Sikhs are a huge security risk.

**BoldHighlander** · 20th January 11, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

I don't know about that. I use to work with some Sikhs, and they were bad @ss mofos! Just ask Indira Gandhi, she found out the hard way!

Originally Posted by cajunscot

And the Axis Powers in WWII...

Indeed Todd!

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

Yes and the Sikhs have been responsible for some pretty spectacular killings in Canada, including but far from limited to the 1985 bombing of an Air India airliner that killed 329 people (including 280 Canadian citizens) off the coast of Ireland. They are far from being a pacifist group but I personally still don't see that the kirpans worn by average Sikhs are a huge security risk.

Nor was I implying they were (the kirpans that is...or the Sikhs for that matter). Just replying to the post (from my own personal experience) that implied that getting into a tussle with the Sikhs was "like getting in a fistfight with Gandhi." That's all.

**NorCalPiper** · 21st January 11, 12:39 AM

What about the famous Lord Singh? I've heard he is kilted 100% of the time except for religious functions-
http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=87&cat=8

**Andy Proffitt** · 21st January 11, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

Indeed Todd!

Nor was I implying they were (the kirpans that is...or the Sikhs for that matter). Just replying to the post (from my own personal experience) that implied that getting into a tussle with the Sikhs was "like getting in a fistfight with Gandhi." That's all.

Let me clear this one up real quick. I was saying that picking on Sikhs as a group, in the political and ideological arena, was a bit bullyish, not physically getting into it with them.

One of the times I got my bell wrung the worst was when I was fighting/sparring with one of my friends, who was a Sikh. He's the only man that ever landed a punch on me that took me off my feet, and we were only playing around.

I agree with you completely Terry, they are bad mofos.