1: Sandeep Singh Brar (Canada), November 13, 2012, 8:48 AM.

The fact that he is wearing a civilian suit rather than a uniform indicates that he is not in the Canadian military. The style of his beard indicates that he is a military veteran of the British Indian Army. Of the nearly 5,000 South Asians in Canada by 1907, over 98% were Sikhs, mostly retired British Indian Army veterans. "These Hindus (Sikhs were ignorantly called this then by those who should have known better) are all old soldiers. They know little outside of their regular drill. "I would have White labourers of course if I can get them - But I would rather give employment to these old soldiers who have helped to fight for the British Empire than to entire aliens" (The Daily Province, October 1906). Over 90% of the early Sikhs were war veterans and loyal soldiers of the British Army. They had dedicated their lives to serving the British Empire and were proud of their loyalty and accomplishments. That is why they felt that they deserved all the rights of ordinary citizens in Canada, rather than being treated as second class citizens. Their sense of disappointment at the actual realities of their new homeland led to moments of frustration when they questioned whether having been loyal soldiers of the British Army had been worth it after all? "Our uniforms and medals show that we have fought for the British as mercenaries against our own countrymen and to enslave other Asian nations. The uniforms and medals are symbols of our slavery. I propose that no member of the executive of the Sikh Temple should wear any kind of medals, buttons, uniforms or insignias which may signify that the position of the party wearing the article is nothing but a slave of the British supremacy" (Natha Singh, 1909). On the evening of October 3, 1909 the Sikhs made a bonfire and burned their uniforms, medals, photographs and letters of recommendation out of their frustration and sense of betrayal.