Sports
Sikh-Canadian Boxer Addresses Canadian Museum For Human Rights:
Pardeep Singh Nagra
CBC NEWS
Athletes and activists came together for a panel discussion at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) on Sunday (May 24, 2015) to talk about how sport can be a springboard to tackling human rights issues.
Boxer Pardeep Singh Nagra addressed the gathering about how he fought for his right to religious expression.
In 1999, Pardeep was a light flyweight boxing champion. He also had a beard -- a mandatory article of faith for a Sikh practicing the full discipline of his religion.
He was barred from competing in the Canadian Championships because he refused to shave his beard. While the courts ruled in his favor and called on the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association to end what they deemed religious discrimination, Pardeep's career ultimately came to an end because of the dilly-dallying by the Association.
Pardeep said by sharing his experience in an open forum, he hopes to help prevent possible cases of discrimination in sport in the future.
"I've always seen it as a responsibility, to continue to ... always make sure that we can put rights and equality on the forefront no matter what the venue is," he said. "If we can continue to reduce [these] incidents ... going forward, then it's our responsibility."
Johann Rukeli Trollmann, who was a boxing star in Germany in the 1930s, was known for protesting against the Nazi vision of a racially pure Aryan fighter.
Trollmann's great niece, Diana Ramos-Farina, spoke about her great uncle's struggles inside and outside of the ring.
In one instance, Trollmann arrived to his championship match with his hair dyed blonde and his body powdered white.
"[It's] very important to prevent these things ... from happening again, that you remember these things and make people aware of what happened in the past ... and to keep fighting for the rights for everybody," said Ramos-Farina.
[Courtesy: CBC News. Edited for sikhchic.com]
May 25, 2015
Conversation about this article
1: Parmjit Singh (Canada), May 26, 2015, 2:03 AM.
There is no honor in a medal if one doesn't honor oneself. Pardeep Singh, I can't imagine the magnitude of your fight and courage during those challenging times. You are an eternal champion, a rare warrior that only knows victory. Gold would be honored to be in your presence.
2: Harmander Singh (London, United Kingdom), September 07, 2015, 4:35 PM.
Pardeep Singh is among the elite group of sportspersons I admire for his stand on principle - particularly relating to his faith. It is always a pleasure and honour to meet him each year when I visit Toronto.