The Osgoode Sikh Students Association (OSSA) hosted its inaugural moot competition, the Khalra Cup, last weekend at Osgoode Hall Law School. This was a huge accomplishment for a club that has only been in existence for less than two and a half years. The competition was a grand success, being very well received by participants from four Ontario law schools, judges from across the province, and the Toronto community at large.
This competition is dedicated to the legacy of human rights activist Shaheed Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra who brought international attention to the human rights violations occurring in Punjab during the 1980s and 90s. He is regarded as a beacon of hope in the Sikh and Punjabi community, and you can read more about his activism at ensaaf.org. The purpose of this annual moot competition is to engage students in the nuances of legal issues encountered by minority communities and highlight them on a national stage through this moot – and we are inching closer to that goal with the success of this past competition.
This year’s moot explored the Multani v. Commission scolaire Marguerite‑Bourgeoys heard by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2006. This case served as a pivotal moment in Canadian-Sikh history as it held that the banning of a Kirpan (ceremonial Sikh sword) in a school environment violated Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the ban could not be saved by the Oakes test.
Participants put forth their legal analysis of section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which protects the freedom of conscience and religion, as well as the section 1 analysis using the Oakes test.
By reading the Multani case, students gained an understanding of important religious freedoms, the Kirpan, and its significance in the Sikh community. With participating students moving forward to become lawyers, judges, and policy makers, the overarching goal is for them to better appreciate the context of the Kirpan and other issues that are relevant to Sikh, South Asian, and minority community members.
We’d like to congratulate the champions of the 2024 Khalra Cup, Serena Allidina and Chris Dai, and the finalists, Sabrin Saide and Maryam Sheikh.
We thank all those who took time out of their busy schedules to compete, judge, and organize this competition. We’d also like to thank our platinum sponsor, GS Brar Law, and our bronze sponsors, the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto, Mr Singh’s Pizza, and Hazoori Live, for supporting this project throughout.
The OSSA team is looking forward to continuing to serve the Osgoode community throughout this year, leveraging the success of the inaugural Khalra Cup.