On November 2, Canada Post unveiled its 2025 Remembrance Day stamp recognizing the long history of Sikh soldiers serving with the Canadian military. More than a quarter million Sikh soldiers answered the call of duty for Britain and its allies during both world wars. In Canada, discrimination prevented many Sikhs from enlisting. Only 10 broke the barrier in the First World War – most fighting with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Europe – including eight who joined before conscription.
At 22 years old, Private Buckam Singh was the youngest Canadian Sikh soldier to enlist. He was wounded and returned to action after recovering in hospital – only to be injured again. He was later diagnosed with tuberculosis and died from the disease in 1919. The Private Singh stamp features an illustration of a [modern-day] Canadian Sikh soldier paying his respects in remembrance of those who have served. The background is an illustration of Private Buckam Singh's grave at Mount Hope Cemetery in Kitchener, the stamp's cancel location.
A collector named Peter Bishop posted a lengthy rant on social media stamp group, upon which I will interleave some comments:
I cannot express how utterly disappointed I am at the new Remembrance Day stamp issue. Honouring soldiers of a specific religion? While I understand the atmosphere of inclusion that is prevalent in today's society, I think we do an injustice to all those who served who don't happen to be Sikh with something like this. Not to mention the man honoured on the stamp survived the war, albeit his death was likely due to the fact he did serve as he contracted tuberculosis and passed a year after the war ended.
Disagree - This is splitting hairs. The fact that one person featured had particular characteristics - chosen or natural - does not detract from all others who served. Does the fact that he didn't die in action mean that his service was in vain?
I don't understand why anyone feels the need to bring attention to a specific group although Canada Post's site quotes it is to bring "to light the forgotten stories of these and other Sikh soldiers in Canada." Forgotten stories? I've always assumed men and women of all races and religions fought side by side for Canada. Indigenous Canadians, white Canadians, black Canadians, Asian Canadians, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Sikh, heck, even German Canadians.
Disagree - I think it's fair to say that those with means were able to preserve their service and stories better. A good example is indigenous veterans who returned to isolated areas and did not publicize their service or even receive benefits to which they are entitled. I think those stories should be told.
Shouldn't everyone who served and ESPECIALLY everyone who gave the ultimate sacrifice, be honoured as one?
Disagree - you're arguing against your own case here. Should Canada Post put every veteran all on the same stamp? What is 'as one' if not 'just one'?
It's like the annual Diwali and Eid stamps...why? Because we have Christmas stamps? We have Christmas stamps because the rates for Christmas cards was different due to the increased volume at that time of year so the Post Office issued a stamp with the different denominations. We no longer have that unfortunately, so maybe it's time to take religion OUT of the stamp business? Btw, Canada is about 2% Sikh, 2% Hindu and 5% Muslim while it is over 53% Christian (and I belong to none of them) Feel free to try and change my mind...
No thanks, because I don't think I can, Mr Bishop. We just cannot compare our current Canada with the Canada-of-yore that you seem to idealize and idolize. Sure, Canada issued the first 'XMAS' stamp back in 1898 with the map of the British Empire in red. Throughout the 1960s, we saw praying hands, a family holding hands, children carolling, children's paintings, Natal stars and gifts of the Magi depicted on Christmas stamps. The issuing of these stamps carried on long after rate differences for Christmas mail existed.
Agree - I see the CBC, various ad campaigns, Canada Post and municipal governments feature visible minorities far outside their demographic distribution. This is likely an effort to reflect Canadian society but to the majority, this sometimes seems like tokenism and dare I say reverse racism at times. However, it is a practice neither one of us is going to change, Mr Bishop. Canada Post has already taken religion OUT of the stamp business, as it pertains to Christianity. You note Diwali and Eid, not to mention Hanukkah. Do these stamps sell? I don't know. But as Canadians, we are constitutionally required to respect the rights, and indeed fight to defend the rights, of all Canadians.
Even when it comes to Remembrance Day stamps!
