On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, joined hundreds of worshippers at the Ottawa Sikh Society Gurdwara to mark Baisakhi, one of the most vibrant festivals in the Sikh calendar. The couple entered the temple’s prayer hall at the start of the afternoon service, taking part in Ardas (prayers) before moving to the Langar Hall, where they served vegetarian meals alongside volunteers.
Community leaders welcomed the Prime Minister’s visit as a strong symbol of South Asian cultural recognition in Canada’s capital. “His presence here today sends a powerful message of unity and respect,” said Gurdwara president Navjot Singh. “The spirit of Baisakhi—harvest, renewal, and sharing—resonates with Canadians of all backgrounds.”
Yet the celebratory scene quickly gave way to a heated online debate. Critics on social media argued that Mr. Carney’s choice to attend the Sikh festival amounted to “selective outreach,” pointing out that the date coincided with Palm Sunday, a central observance for many Christians. British influencer Oli London, posting on X, accused the Prime Minister of “prioritizing minority events over longstanding Christian traditions,” igniting a flurry of responses across both conservative and liberal circles.
It was an honour to do seva at the Ottawa Sikh Society this morning — community and service are at the heart of today's celebration.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 13, 2025
Diana and I want to wish a very happy Vaisakhi to all the Sikh Canadians celebrating across the country. pic.twitter.com/pb9yhAa6RM
“Where was his message of goodwill to Christians on Palm Sunday?” asked one user, drawing frustration from others who noted that Mr. Carney also made no public mention of Passover, which began the night before. Comments ranged from accusing him of political pandering to denouncing online critics for intolerance.
Supporters of the Prime Minister’s appearance defended his actions as emblematic of Canada’s pluralistic values. They pointed to the universal ethos of langar, the free-community kitchen central to Sikh practice, which emphasizes service and equality. “Langar has no religious boundary,” explained Dr. Meera Chopra, a scholar of religious studies at Carleton University. “When the Prime Minister serves food here, he’s honoring an inclusive tradition that feeds people of every creed.”
Several Sikh attendees echoed that sentiment. Long-time volunteer Harpreet Kaur noted, “I served alongside Mr. Carney today and saw genuine respect in his eyes. Baisakhi is about sowing seeds—both literally in the fields and figuratively in our society.”
Political analysts say the controversy reflects broader tensions over the balance between Canada’s majority and minority faith communities. Dr. Alistair Green of the University of Toronto suggests that high-profile visits to religious celebrations will always draw scrutiny: “In our multicultural democracy, every gesture by a political leader can be read as affirmation—or neglect—of different groups. The key is maintaining dialogue across all faiths.”
By the end of the afternoon, many at the Gurdwara had finished their meals and resumed prayer. Outside, the chatter on social media continued unabated. Whether heralded as a milestone in inclusive politics or critiqued as calculated symbolism, Prime Minister Carney’s participation in Baisakhi has sparked a conversation about the intersection of faith, identity, and governance in modern Canada.
