Skip to main content
#AskCanadianSikhs the Podcast

#AskCanadianSikhs the Podcast

By World Sikh Organization

A monthly podcast from the World Sikh Organization of Canada, covering current affairs, politics, and media from the Sikh Canadian perspective.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
PodBean Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

#41 - Year in Review & President's Remarks

#AskCanadianSikhs the PodcastDec 07, 2023

00:00
31:37
#41 - Year in Review & President's Remarks

#41 - Year in Review & President's Remarks

Jaspreet Kaur and Mahekleen Kaur are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs! This month, we are joined by our new president Danish Singh as we reflect on some of WSO's milestones in 2023.

Dec 07, 202331:37
#40 - Free Jaggi Now!

#40 - Free Jaggi Now!

Our new podcast is here! Join us for a live recording of one of our recent events, featuring Gurpreet Singh Johal, a human rights activist from Scotland, shedding light on India's oppression of Sikh activists and the unjust detention of Sikhs, including his own brother, Jaggi Johal.


If you missed the events, fret not! You now have the chance to catch up on this crucial conversation by tuning in to our podcast, available on all major platforms. Don't wait—go have a listen and stay informed!


#AskCanadianSikhs #Podcast #CanadianSikhs #FreeJaggiNow

Nov 09, 202301:23:57
#39 - India & Canada Relations

#39 - India & Canada Relations

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs! This month, we discuss India & Canada's relations after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement.

Sep 27, 202334:13
#38 - Hardeep Singh Nijjar & International Students

#38 - Hardeep Singh Nijjar & International Students

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs! This month, we discuss the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar & the advocacy of international students in Canada.

We end with national board member, Mahekleen Kaur’s interview with Balpreet Singh, Legal Counsel for the World Sikh Organization of Canada. They discussed the role Balpreet Singh plays in the organization along with foreign interference and how that impacts Canadian Sikhs.

Jul 04, 202342:15
#37 - Ensaaf

#37 - Ensaaf

National board member, Mahekleen Kaur is back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs! This month, we interviewed Sukhman Singh, one of the co-founders of Ensaaf. They discussed how Ensaaf was created and the projects the team is currently working on!


Jun 19, 202327:07
#36 Bhai Amritpal Singh, South Asian Heritage Month, The King’s Coronation & Dashmesh Cultural Centre

#36 Bhai Amritpal Singh, South Asian Heritage Month, The King’s Coronation & Dashmesh Cultural Centre

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs! This month, we discuss Bhai Amritpal Singh courting arrest, South Asian Heritage Month and the term South Asian and lastly, the King's Coronation.

We end with national board member, Mahekleen Kaur’s interview with Raj Sidhu, the Director of Operations at Dashmesh Cultural Centre. They discussed the day-to-day operations of the Gurdwara along with the initiatives they have taken on, such as the women's shelter and the no-hungry tummy program.


May 08, 202347:49
#35 - Punjab Crackdown & Kothaguru

#35 - Punjab Crackdown & Kothaguru

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs! This month, we discuss the state-wide crackdown in Punjab and Sikh Canadian responses.

We end with national board member, Mahekleen Kaur’s interview with Gurkeerat Singh @kothaguru, who discusses his experience staying with Bhai Amritpal Singh.


Apr 04, 202336:53
#34 - RSS Report, Election Interference, Anti-Caste Motions & Khalsa Aid

#34 - RSS Report, Election Interference, Anti-Caste Motions & Khalsa Aid

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs! This month, we talk about the high profile Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) report that WSO put out in collaboration with the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM). We also discuss foreign election interference and the anti-caste motions that were passed in Seattle and Toronto. 

We end with national board member, Mahekleen Kaur’s interview with Jindi Singh, the national director of Khalsa Aid discussing the organizations ground efforts in Turkey.

Mar 14, 202350:13
#33 - Spy Balloon, One Billion Rising, Anniversary of Mosque Shooting, Personal Loss for WSO, Islamophobia & Domestic Violence

#33 - Spy Balloon, One Billion Rising, Anniversary of Mosque Shooting, Personal Loss for WSO, Islamophobia & Domestic Violence

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs. This month we start by talking about the Chinese spy balloon spotted in Canada and USA. We then discuss One Billion Rising, the sixth anniversary of the Quebec Mosque shooting, the loss of Jaspreet Pandher for the WSO Family, and Islamophobia. 

This year we are also introducing a new segment to our podcast, where we interview various guest speakers from the community. Mahekleen Gill (WSO Board Member) will be hosting this segment. This month we sat down with Manvir Bhangu, founder and executive director of Laadliyan a non-profit in the Peel Region to discuss domestic violence in the Punjabi community! 

Feb 14, 202333:12
#32 - Year End Review

#32 - Year End Review

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs. This month we will discuss the World Cup in Qatar, the year-end review for WSO and lastly Indo-Pacific strategy between India and Canada.  

Dec 15, 202225:38
#31 - Ontario Municipal Elections, Bandi Chhor Divas, WSO Lobby Day

#31 - Ontario Municipal Elections, Bandi Chhor Divas, WSO Lobby Day

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs. This month we will discuss the Ontario municipal elections, Bandi Chhor Divas and WSO in Ottawa for Lobby Day. 

Nov 01, 202238:36
#30 - Khalistan Referendum, Conservative Party Leadership Elections, Ontario Municipal Elections, Hurricane Fiona

#30 - Khalistan Referendum, Conservative Party Leadership Elections, Ontario Municipal Elections, Hurricane Fiona

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs. This month we start by talking about truth and reconciliation day. We have a jam-packed episode covering the Referendum for Khalistan in Brampton, Conservative Party of Canada leadership elections, Ontario municipal elections and Hurricane Fiona. 

Oct 04, 202254:13
#29 - Domestic Violence, Beard Accommodation, Support of International Students, SYLI

#29 - Domestic Violence, Beard Accommodation, Support of International Students, SYLI

Jaspreet Kaur and Harman Singh are back with a new episode of #AskCanadianSikhs. This month we start with paying tribute to Sardar Ram Raghbir Singh Chahal, a founding member of the World Sikh Organization. We have a jam-packed episode covering domestic violence, Toronto beard accommodation, the Government of India's foreign appearances, WSO's continuous support of International students and the annual Sikh Youth Leadership Institute. 

Sep 06, 202249:53
#28 - June, Sidhu Moose Wala, Ontario elections, Alpha College

#28 - June, Sidhu Moose Wala, Ontario elections, Alpha College

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the #AskCanadianSikhs podcast with our co-hosts, Dr.Jaspreet Kaur Bal and Harman Singh Kandola. We start by talking about June and how we can take this month to reflect. This episode also dives into the recent Ontario elections and the Alpha College incident. Lastly, we discuss the impact that the loss of Sidhu Moose Wala had to the community. 

Jun 07, 202247:54
#27 - Vaisakhi, Afghanistan Sikhs, Workplace Accommodations

#27 - Vaisakhi, Afghanistan Sikhs, Workplace Accommodations

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the #AskCanadianSikhs podcast with our co-hosts, Dr.Jaspreet Kaur Bal and Harman Singh Kandola. We talked more about the finishing of Sikh Heritage Month, Vaisakhi and Nagar Kirtan this month. We also celebrate our brothers and sisters from Afghanistan arriving in Canada and the win in the workplace accommodations for Sikhs in Canada. Finally, we pay our tribute to a friend of the World Sikh Organization who passed away. 


Listen now and be informed on issues that are important to Canadian Sikhs.

The podcast is now available on all major platforms.

#AskCanadianSikhs


May 03, 202237:55
#26 - Sikh Heritage Month, Refugees, Ind - Canadian Relationships

#26 - Sikh Heritage Month, Refugees, Ind - Canadian Relationships

This month's #AskCanadianSikhs podcast is back with our co-hosts, Jaspreet Kaur Bal and Harman Singh Kandola. We are very excited about this month's episode to celebrate Sikh Heritage Month. We encourage you to check events in and out of your province celebrating; World Sikh Organization has a Sikh Education Guide and will be using the month to promote and teach how to use the guide. Alongside the discussion of Sikh Heritage Month, we talk about Ukraine and Afghan refugees and Indo-Canadian relationships. 


Listen now and be informed on issues that are important to Canadian Sikhs.


The podcast is now available on all major platforms.


#AskCanadianSikhs

Apr 05, 202250:52
 #25 - Trucker Convoy, Deep Sidhu And Bill 21

#25 - Trucker Convoy, Deep Sidhu And Bill 21

We are back with another exciting episode of the #AskCanadianSikhs podcast with our co-hosts, Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal and Harman Singh Kandola. This month, we talk about the Sikh perspective on the truck convoy in Ottawa and Toronto, the loss of Deep Sidhu and an update on Bill 21. 


Listen now and be informed on issues that are important to Canadian Sikhs.


The podcast is now available on all major platforms.


#AskCanadianSikhs


Mar 01, 202246:16
#24 - WSO Highlights & Key Sikh Canadian political moments of 2021 and 2022 Outlook

#24 - WSO Highlights & Key Sikh Canadian political moments of 2021 and 2022 Outlook

Happy New Year! 

WSO brings you the first 2022 episode of #AskCanadianSikhs with Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal and Harman Singh Kandola. We kick start this year with a recap of 2021, highlighting key Sikh Canadian issues that the community faced, and look forward to what 2022 holds for us as a community and as an organization.

Listen now and be informed on issues that are important to Canadian Sikhs.

The podcast is now available on all major platforms

#AskCanadianSikhs

Jan 04, 202251:21
#23 - Foreign Interference, Repeal of Farmer's Bills, BC Floods

#23 - Foreign Interference, Repeal of Farmer's Bills, BC Floods

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the #AskCanadianSikhs podcast with our co-hosts Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal and Harman Singh Kandola. This month we discuss the foreign interference from India, the significant announcement of having the farmer's bills repealed, what that means for the farmers, the climate events in BC and how Sikhs are responding. 


Listen now and be informed on issues that are important to Canadian Sikhs.


The podcast is now available on all major platforms.


#AskCanadianSikhs #NeverForget1984 #Sikhs #Cdnpoli #Alberta #Edmonton #Calgary #Politics



Dec 07, 202145:22
#22 - Sikh Genocide, #TheyLiveHere Campaign, Canadian Federal Cabinet, Alberta Municipal Elections

#22 - Sikh Genocide, #TheyLiveHere Campaign, Canadian Federal Cabinet, Alberta Municipal Elections

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the #AskCanadianSikhs podcast with our co-hosts Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal and Harman Singh Kandola. This month we discuss what November means to Sikhs, how WSO is commemorating the #SikhGenocide of 1984 with their #TheyLiveHere campaign, and we talk politics: from our speculations of the future cabinet and the Municipal elections in Calgary and Edmonton.


Listen now and be informed on issues that are important to Canadian Sikhs.


Podcast is now available on all major platforms.


#AskCanadianSikhs #NeverForget1984 #Sikhs #Cdnpoli #Alberta #Edmonton #Calgary #Politics


Nov 02, 202132:33
#21 Federal Elections, Modi Visits the US, Hudson Institute’s Khalistan Report and UK’s West Midland 3 Case

#21 Federal Elections, Modi Visits the US, Hudson Institute’s Khalistan Report and UK’s West Midland 3 Case

This month, Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal welcomes back Jaskaran Singh Sandhu to do a post mortem on the 2021 Federal Election, discuss the big Narinder Modi visit with Joe Biden in the USA, unpack the very devious and dangerous implications of the Hudson Institute’s Khalistan Report and do a deep dive into what happened in the UK with the West Midland 3 case.

Oct 05, 202148:03
#20 - WSO Updates, Canadian Sikh Election Guide

#20 - WSO Updates, Canadian Sikh Election Guide

Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal and Harman Singh Kandola are back with a new episode on the World Sikh Organization and the upcoming election from a Canadian Sikh perspective. 

We bring our listeners the 2021 Canadian Sikh Election Guide, where we talk about the top five issues concerning Canadian Sikhs during this election period, how we constructed this guide, and why it is crucial to put a Sikh lens on voting.



Sep 07, 202153:34
#19 - Afghan Sikhs, Kar Sewa and Islamophobia

#19 - Afghan Sikhs, Kar Sewa and Islamophobia

We are back with another jam-packed episode. This month we will discuss Afghan Sikhs, Kar Sewa in India, spy software, Canada's relationship with India and Islamophobia.

Aug 03, 202148:21
#18 - Kirpan Ban in Australia, Bill 21, Increased Hate Crimes, Canada Day

#18 - Kirpan Ban in Australia, Bill 21, Increased Hate Crimes, Canada Day

This month #AskCanadianSikhs the Podcast introduces a new co-host Harman Kandola. Harman is the WSO Vice President of Alberta and will be putting a legal lens into our conversations. This month, we sit down to talk about the kirpan ban in Australia, give an update on Bill 21, the London Ontario attack on the Afzaal family and the increase in Canadian hate crimes, and reflect on Canada day as Canadian Sikhs.

Jul 06, 202138:05
#17 - Special Episode - Covid 19 Vaccines
May 14, 202154:06
#16 - Godi Media, Farmer's Protest, Nav Bhatia, US Politics

#16 - Godi Media, Farmer's Protest, Nav Bhatia, US Politics

Jaskarn Sandhu and Jaspreet Bal are back with a new episode this month and new resolutions. We will do a recap of the month, talk about Godi media coming into the mainstream, Farmer's protest, and discuss Nav Bhatia returning his award to the Canada India Foundation. We will also be joined with Shabd Singh from The One podcast to discuss US politics.

Feb 09, 202151:41
#15 - WSO's Recap of 2020

#15 - WSO's Recap of 2020

Jaskarn Sandhu and Co-host Jaspreet Kaur are back for a recap of 2020. They will be sharing their favourite parts from 2020 and talking about WSO's achievements. Balpreet Singh will also give legal updates from the year.

Dec 29, 202053:11
#14 - Learning+Unlearning - Sexual Violence and The Sikh Community

#14 - Learning+Unlearning - Sexual Violence and The Sikh Community

We have a special #AskCanadianSikhs episode with special guests Kim Dhillon and Deepa Matoo, moderated by SYLI alumni Simona Singh and Harleen Padda. In this episode, we explore the stigma around sexual violence and the Sikh community. 

Dec 03, 202001:34:07
#13 - Live from our Zoom Webinar - Criminalizing Dissent in India

#13 - Live from our Zoom Webinar - Criminalizing Dissent in India

The WSO's Director of Administration, Jaskaran Sandhu, sits down with world-renowned investigative journalist, Rana Ayyub, for a fireside chat discussing criminalizing dissent in India.


Sep 08, 202001:19:29
#12 - UAPA, Criminalizing Dissent in India, Sikhs & Black Lives Matter

#12 - UAPA, Criminalizing Dissent in India, Sikhs & Black Lives Matter

Jaspreet Kaur and Jaskaran Sandhu host this month's episode. We will discuss the unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Criminalizing dissent in India, the different angles from a Sikh perspective with the Black Lives Matter and an update on the Afghan Sikh situation. 


Aug 31, 202041:58
#11 - Live from our Zoom Webinar - June 1984: Impact at Home & Abroad

#11 - Live from our Zoom Webinar - June 1984: Impact at Home & Abroad

We hosted a webinar on June 1984: Impact at Home & Abroad. Our speakers include Giani Sarwan Singh, Mallika Kaur, Sawinder Singh and Gian Singh Sandhu. The panel was moderated by our own, Guntaas Kaur. 

Jul 06, 202002:11:22
#10 - Live from our Zoom Webinar - Fighting COVID-19: Sikhs + PPE

#10 - Live from our Zoom Webinar - Fighting COVID-19: Sikhs + PPE

A live recording of an #AskCanadianSikhs webinar discussion on Sikhs and PPE. We are joined by health care professionals who are fighting COVID-19... beard on!

May 27, 202001:25:33
#9 - COVID-19, Indian Interference...Again, and #SaveAfghanSikhs

#9 - COVID-19, Indian Interference...Again, and #SaveAfghanSikhs

Jaspreet Kaur, Tejinder Singh, and Jaskaran Sandhu speak about the Sikh community's response to COVID-19, as well as Jaspreet Kaur's personal story escaping India's COVID-19 lockdown. 

We also touch upon recent news of Indian government interference in Canada....again. 

Finally, we touch upon the #SaveAfghanSikhs campaign and the situation for Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan. 

Apr 29, 202001:06:52
#8 -Wet'suwet'en, Delhi is Burning, International Students

#8 -Wet'suwet'en, Delhi is Burning, International Students

Another jam-packed show looking at the Wet'suwet'en solidarity movement from a Sikh lens. Also, why is Delhi burning and why you shouldn't be surprised.

We interview scholar Mallika Kaur about the narratives to watch in India right now surrounding the pogroms in Delhi 2020.

We talk to journalist Gurpreet Singh on recently being threatened at a panel on Hindu nationalism.

And, finally, we interview Jaspreet Singh on the experience of international students in Canada.

Mar 03, 202001:23:16
#7 - Montreal Police, Sikhs Ruined a War Movie, Brampton vs CAA, Sikh Minorities in Pakistan & more!

#7 - Montreal Police, Sikhs Ruined a War Movie, Brampton vs CAA, Sikh Minorities in Pakistan & more!

A jam-packed show covering the Montreal Police's challenge in becoming more diverse, why Sikhs were trending in the UK over the movie 1917 and a racist Lawrence Fox comment, Mayor Patrick Brown comments on India's CAA and faces the wrath of Hindu Nationalist, we welcome Balpreet Singh to speak about Sikh minorities in Pakistan and Afghanistan, an interview with Tejinder Singh as the new WSO president, and finally we welcome Steven Purewal of Indus Media Foundation to speak about Sikh involvement in WWI and the Lawrence Fox comments on 1917.

Feb 05, 202001:14:00
#6 - India vs. the New Yorker, Bill 21, and Sunny Hundal on the UK elections and Indian Media

#6 - India vs. the New Yorker, Bill 21, and Sunny Hundal on the UK elections and Indian Media

This month's episode is hosted by Jaskaran Sandhu and Jaspreet Bal. We cover the recent New Yorker piece on the rise of Hindu Nationalism in India, the CAA and NRC. We have Balpreet Singh on to discuss Bill 21 and other recent legal issues Sikhs are facing, and finally we have Sunny Hundal on to discuss the UK elections and BJP interference, as well as his experience working in the Indian media and what his thoughts are on the Rana Ayuub profile in the New Yorker.

Jan 06, 202001:16:27
#5 - Election Debrief, Don Cherry and Legal + Media Round-Up

#5 - Election Debrief, Don Cherry and Legal + Media Round-Up

We are back! After a long hiatus over the summer break and then the federal election, the #AskCanadianSikhs podcast is back with regular programming. This month's show is co-hosted by Jaspreet Kaur and guest co-host Kirpa Kaur. We discuss the recent federal election, Don Cherry's comments, and Balpreet Singh joins to discuss recent legal and media updates impact Sikh Canadians across the country. 

Nov 25, 201939:20
#4-03 - Part 3 and Finale of a Special Series on Quebec's Bill 21

#4-03 - Part 3 and Finale of a Special Series on Quebec's Bill 21

This week we cover the French and English media's reaction to Bill 21, and our analysis of the coverage on Bill 21, religious minorities and more. 

This is the final part of the Special Series on Quebec's Bill 21.

Jul 18, 201929:34
#4-02 - Part 2 of a Special Series on Quebec's Bill 21
Jul 02, 201932:38
#4 - Part 1 of a Special Series on Quebec's Bill 21

#4 - Part 1 of a Special Series on Quebec's Bill 21

We are in Montreal for a special series on Quebec's Bill 21, with special guests Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf), Rev. Diane Rollert (Coalition Inclusive Quebec), Sameer Zuberi (NCCM) and Amrit Kaur (VP Quebec, WSO), and moderated by Jaskaran Singh Sandhu (ED, WSO).

We explore how we got here with Bill 21, what secularism means in Quebec, the plight of minorities in the province, and what can be done next.

Watch this space for further installments of this Special Series in the coming days.

Jun 20, 201947:49
#3 - Terror Report, Indian Elections, Indian Interference, Nagar Kirtans & Khalsa Aid's Lapata Exhibit

#3 - Terror Report, Indian Elections, Indian Interference, Nagar Kirtans & Khalsa Aid's Lapata Exhibit

This month we talk about the Terror Report being kind of fixed, Indian elections and the Punjab staying Modi-Mukt (Editor's Note: this episode was recorded before the Indian elections results were declared), new examples of Indian interference in Sikh Canadian affairs, a bomb threat and pictures of soldiers at Nagar Kirtans, and finally we speak to the Canadian director of Khalsa Aid about their publicly acclaimed Lapata exhibit in Vancouver!

May 28, 201901:02:49
#2a - BONUS - Live from PAMA, the KaursVote's Sikh Women In Politics Panel

#2a - BONUS - Live from PAMA, the KaursVote's Sikh Women In Politics Panel

On April 6, 2019, the WSO held a panel conversation with Sikh women working in the backrooms of politics as campaign managers, advisers, and staffers, across the political spectrum and levels of government.

We discussed the challenges and successes that Sikh women face in politics, and how the Sikh community can better support women in the political space.

This event was part of the 2019 Ontario Sikh Heritage Month programming at PAMA!

KaursVote is a new initiative by the World Sikh Organization of Canada.

May 15, 201901:26:03
#2 - Quebec's Religious Symbols Ban, White Nationalist, and Election Interference

#2 - Quebec's Religious Symbols Ban, White Nationalist, and Election Interference

This month we talk about Quebec's religious symbols ban bill, Bill 21, and its impact on Sikh Quebecois, the rise of white nationalist and supremacists in Canada, and the very real fear of foreign interference in the upcoming Canadian federal elections. 

Apr 05, 201958:35
#1a - BONUS - Live from Surrey City Hall: WSO Panel on the Terror Report

#1a - BONUS - Live from Surrey City Hall: WSO Panel on the Terror Report

BONUS episode! Live from Surrey City Hall, a WSO panel, featuring Dr. Jasjit Singh, dissecting the Public Safety Canada's terror report which included Sikhs as a top 5 threat to Canada. 

Mar 22, 201901:35:56
#1 - Jagmeet Singh, National Security, SNC-Lavalin and Sikh Study Chairs

#1 - Jagmeet Singh, National Security, SNC-Lavalin and Sikh Study Chairs

A monthly podcast covering current affairs from a Sikh Canadian perspective. This month we talk about Jagmeet Singh's historic victory, national security and the terror report, the SNC-Lavalin scandal and the Government of India influencing University Sikh Studies across North America.

Mar 06, 201956:30