Mississauga's Sikh Heritage Museum races to save artifacts after fire-triggered flooding
A fire in a unit above the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada on Drew Road in Mississauga caused the building's sprinkler system to flood the gallery, damaging books, artifacts and furniture, some dating to the 1800s. Executive director Pardeep Singh Nagra said the museum must be gutted and rebuilt but vowed the institution would recover. Separately, Peel Regional Police declined to open an investigation into a viral video allegedly showing a man carrying a crossbow at Mississauga's Khalsa Day parade.
Sikh Heritage Museum Battles Water Damage After Fire
The small fire broke out on February 26 in a unit above the gallery of the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada, located on Drew Road near Airport Road and Derry Road East in Mississauga. While firefighters contained the blaze, the sprinkler system above the museum discharged, flooding the gallery and damaging much of its collection. Executive director Pardeep Singh Nagra told CBC News that books, artifacts, furniture and other resources were damaged, with some items soaked beyond repair, including materials dating to the 1800s. The museum, which preserves the story of the Sikh community in Canada, will require the entire structure to be gutted and rebuilt before it can reopen. Despite the devastating loss, Nagra remained resolute: 'We say we're hurt but we're not broken,' he said. Staff began the urgent work of salvaging whatever remained of the collection. The museum has long served as a vital cultural institution for the South Asian Sikh community in the Greater Toronto Area, and supporters across the community called for donations to assist in the rebuilding effort. [1]
🗳️ Police Decline to Investigate Crossbow Video at Khalsa Day Parade
A video that went viral on social media allegedly showed a Sikh man openly carrying a crossbow at a community event in Mississauga, described as the Khalsa Day parade held on May 3. The video was attributed to Prabhjot Singh Johal, described as a Khalistani activist truck driver and social media user. In the background of the footage, a Mississauga street sign reading 'Brandon Gate Drive' was clearly visible. Despite the visual evidence placing the scene in Mississauga, Peel Regional Police told Juno News they were 'unable to confirm the authenticity' of the video and stated that 'no such incident was reported' in connection with the Khalsa Day parade. No investigation has been opened. The police response drew scrutiny from commentators who noted the visible street signage as corroborating evidence. The incident highlighted ongoing tensions within discussions about security at South Asian community events in the Greater Toronto Area, and the question of how police handle viral evidence from community gatherings. [2]
Second Suspect Charged in 2023 Killing of Indian-Origin Delivery Driver
Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Homicide Bureau arrested and charged a second man in connection with the 2023 killing of an Indian-origin delivery driver in Mississauga. The case dates back three years, and the latest arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation. A statement issued by Peel Regional Police confirmed that the second suspect was arrested and charged in connection with the Mississauga homicide. The victim was an Indian-origin delivery driver, underscoring ongoing concerns within the South Asian community in the GTA about the safety of gig-economy workers who often operate late-night routes alone. The New Indian Express, which covers news of relevance to the Indian diaspora, reported the development on the basis of information from Peel Regional Police. No further details about the charges or the identity of the second suspect were released in the initial statement. The first arrest in the case had been made earlier, and investigators continued to pursue all leads. The case has drawn attention to crime targeting members of the South Asian delivery workforce in Mississauga. [3]
Sources: [1] CBC · [2] Juno News · [3] The New Indian Express