Baltej Singh Dhillon made history as the first Sikh officer to wear a turban in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Baltej Singh Dhillon made history as the first Sikh officer to wear a turban in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). On Saturday, he was honoured at an event against racism. Spice Radio and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation organized this event. It was part of the yearly "Raise Your Hands Against Racism" campaign.
When Dhillon joined the RCMP in 1990, some people didn't like it. Some groups tried to stop him from joining. But Dhillon didn't give up. He faced these problems and succeeded. This helped make the RCMP more open to people from different backgrounds. The event showed that his work is still important in fighting racism today. Dhillon told HT that the RCMP will soon give turbans to Sikh officers like him. This means the RCMP is changing its uniform rules to include turbans.
Anti-racism initiative
Spice Radio CEO Shushma Datt started a new anti-racism program. Dhillon is the first person to be honoured in this program. Datt, who has worked in broadcasting for the local South Asian community for many years, plans to recognize people like Dhillon who have fought against discrimination each year. The campaign aligns with the festival of Holi, encouraging participants to dip their hands in colour and leave their handprints on a white sheet of paper, accompanied by a statement against racism, at various locations throughout Greater Vancouver.
Many people from different backgrounds came to take part in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, and White Rock. Helpers wore shirts that said #HandsAgainstRacism. In Surrey, where many Punjabi people live, there were big crowds. Indo-Canadian MLA Harry Bains joined in.
Vancouver and Surrey city governments officially supported the program. At the first event at Roundhouse Community Centre, South Asian expert Suresh Kurl talked about Holi and how it relates to fighting racism. There were dance shows by the Shiamak Davar team and drumming led by popular radio host Gurp Sian. This program brings people from all backgrounds together to make a colourful statement against racism and support diversity.
*Based on an article by Gurpreet Singh, published in Hindustan Times on 21st March 2016