T Sher Singh

A Toronto, Canada Sikh involved in media, law and policy, T. Sher Singh had a front-seat view into what he explains as a relentless misinformation campaign—including an instance where a government communiqué was sent to the Canadian government describing the Nishaan Sahib [Sikh flag] as a terrorist flag—as well as what he explains as the initiation of Sikh institution-building in the diaspora. He describes critical community empowerment despite the odds: “…The fact that 1984 happened, we [Sikhs] dealt with massive challenges thus made us a better, bigger, and more successful community.”

Describing himself as part of a “minority community with a majority complex,” he explains the community’s maturation, as well as challenges, after the attack in 1984. Soon after he woke up to the screaming news of the Darbar Sahib attack in June, Singh joined with others to respond to the desperate need for proper and accurate information for and about the community. Pooling their resources, they began compiling credible snippets of news, which soon led to the birth of an indigenous newspaper, with robust circulation, and related meetings to answer public’s questions on what was happening in India. Watch how Singh describes an era of fear, frantic energy, as well as chardi kalaa.