Close X
Saturday, March 1, 2025
ADVT 
National

2 Kirpan-Carrying Elderly Sikhs Ordered To Leave Dollarama Store In Winnipeg

Darpan News Desk IANS, 15 Sep, 2016 11:43 AM
    Two elderly Sikh men were stopped by staff and security at a Dollarama store in Winnipegand told they could not enter with their kirpans.
     
    Harpal Gill, says in the 16 years he has lived in Canada, he has never been told to leave a store because of his kirpan, a ceremonial dagger carried by Sikhs.
     
    "It is my religious symbol. How can you stop me?" Mr Gill asked the manager of the Dollarama store.
     
    "I showed her the kirpan and she said, 'It is a weapon, a knife; it is dangerous,'" Mr Gill was quoted as saying by CBC news.
     
    Despite the fact the two have been in the store many times before, they were told to leave.
     
    "It is allowed in the legislature, it is allowed in the federal government," Mr Gill added.
     

    A spokesperson at the Dollarama head office said this is the first time there has been an issue in any of their stores across Canada.
     
    Lila Radmanovich, who works for Dollarama's media relations, said the company has a customer service policy that does not allow discrimination based on ethnicity or religion.
     
    The company has reached out to the Manitoba Sikh Society and offered apologies to the men.
     
     
    The company is now working with staff and security at the Winnipeg store to teach them the company's policy, Ms Radmanovich said. 

    MORE National ARTICLES

    P.K. Subban Back In Montreal Nearly A Year After Making Hospital Pledge

    MONTREAL — NHL star P.K. Subban is looking back after nearly one year since making a $10-million pledge to the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation.

    P.K. Subban Back In Montreal Nearly A Year After Making Hospital Pledge

    Ottawa Watching Leave For Domestic Violence Victims In Manitoba, Ontario

    OTTAWA — Mary Daoust has seen it all too often: women who stay in a dangerous relationship for fear of being unable to pay the bills or of getting fired amid the ensuing personal tumult.

    Ottawa Watching Leave For Domestic Violence Victims In Manitoba, Ontario

    Health Unit Urging Clients Of Unlicensed London, Ont., Tattoo Shop To Get Tested

    Health Unit Urging Clients Of Unlicensed London, Ont., Tattoo Shop To Get Tested
    Health officials in London, Ont., are warning patrons of a home-based tattoo shop to get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

    Health Unit Urging Clients Of Unlicensed London, Ont., Tattoo Shop To Get Tested

    Alberta Opposition Leader Brian Jean Says He Is Sorry For 'Beat Notley' Remark

    Alberta Opposition Leader Brian Jean Says He Is Sorry For 'Beat Notley' Remark
    Jean was at a town hall gathering Tuesday night in Fort McMurray, where the Wildrose has been holding a caucus retreat this week.

    Alberta Opposition Leader Brian Jean Says He Is Sorry For 'Beat Notley' Remark

    Bylaw Forces Business To Build $10k 'Sidewalk To Nowhere' In Smithers, B.C.

    Bylaw Forces Business To Build $10k 'Sidewalk To Nowhere' In Smithers, B.C.
    SMITHERS, B.C. — On a lonely stretch of concrete in Smithers, B.C., a black-and-white sign cautions passersby: "The end is 

    Bylaw Forces Business To Build $10k 'Sidewalk To Nowhere' In Smithers, B.C.

    Coroner Names Man Killed In British Columbia After Being Hit By Passenger Train

      Coroner Larry Marzinzik says Jonathan Christopher Harris died early Saturday morning.

    Coroner Names Man Killed In British Columbia After Being Hit By Passenger Train