Gurdwaras, the spiritual and community heart of Sikh life, are meant to be sanctuaries of devotion, equality, and service. They are places where the values of seva, transparency, and humility are practiced—not just preached. But a disturbing trend is threatening to corrode the very foundation of this sacred space. A handful of Khalistan sympathizers—masquerading as community leaders—are on a mission to hijack Gurdwara management and divert its funds to serve their own toxic agendas.
The recent controversy surrounding the Surrey Gurdwara in Canada, once presided over by the late Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known Khalistani extremist, has peeled back the curtain on the alarming dysfunction festering within some of these institutions. A video circulating on social media shows Sikh community members raising serious concerns: donation money is being misused, audits haven’t been conducted for two years, and the committee refuses to show the books.
What’s worse? Those who dare ask questions are met not with answers—but with threats.
Multiple Sikhs have come forward alleging they were openly threatened with violence, even being told they’d be “shot” for demanding financial accountability. Such behavior isn’t just illegal—it’s a disgrace to the principles of Sikhism. It violates the Charitable Act, yes, but more importantly, it violates Maryada, the moral and spiritual code that guides Gurdwara conduct.
Where there should be humility, there is arrogance. Where there should be service, there is self-interest. And where there should be transparency, there is a dark cloud of secrecy and fear.
Let’s be very clear: this is not a reflection of the Sikh community at large, but of a vocal and dangerous minority using the Khalistan narrative as a smokescreen. Their true motive isn’t justice for Punjab or the Sikh diaspora—it’s power, money, and ego. They wrap themselves in the saffron flag while pocketing the donations of honest devotees and weaponizing intimidation to keep critics silent.
The community must not let fear win. It’s time for Sikhs—whether in Canada, the UK, the US, or Australia—to reclaim our institutions. Demand audits. Demand legal compliance. Demand that those who threaten violence in the name of faith be held accountable. Gurdwaras belong to the Sangat, not to self-appointed warlords with delusions of grandeur.
If we stay silent now, we risk losing not just control of our places of worship—but the soul of the Sikh spirit itself.
