Toronto: A Sikh social media influencer has alleged religious discrimination after he was asked to leave a gym in Windsor, Ontario, over his kirpan, sparking renewed debate in Canada over religious freedom and safety policies in public spaces.
According to reports, Gurpratap Singh Khalsa, a Sikh TikTok influencer, was working out at a GoodLife Fitness gym in Windsor when a staff member approached him after another gym member reportedly raised concerns about the kirpan he was wearing.
The gym employee allegedly told Khalsa that the kirpan was considered a weapon and asked him to leave the premises. A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, with the staff member heard explaining that the action was taken following a complaint from another member.
Khalsa challenged the decision, arguing that Canadian law protects freedom of religion and that the kirpan is a sacred article of faith for initiated Sikhs rather than a weapon. He alleged that he was singled out because of his Sikh identity and described the incident as an act of religious and racial discrimination.
The incident has triggered mixed reactions online. Many users criticised the gym’s actions, saying the Canadian Constitution protects religious freedom and that the kirpan is an integral article of faith symbolising justice, protection and service rather than violence.
Others argued that gyms and similar public facilities have safety policies restricting sharp objects on their premises and said the staff may have been enforcing internal safety rules.
GoodLife Fitness had not issued an official statement on the incident at the time of writing. Meanwhile, members of Canada’s Sikh community and religious organisations have expressed concern and called for greater awareness of Sikh religious practices among public and private institutions to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
