A Canadian Sikh man received an apology from GoodLife Fitness after he was asked to leave one of its gyms for wearing a kirpan, a ceremonial dagger mandated by his faith. Gurpartap Singh Sangha recorded the interaction at a GoodLife Fitness location in Windsor, which is near the U.S.-Canada border, and posted the video to TikTok, where it gained significant traction.
In the video, Sangha questioned the employee's decision, stating, "You’re kicking me out of the gym right now because you are scared that I’m going to take my religious symbol… and kill somebody?" The employee responded that a member had reported a weapon and, for the safety of everyone, Sangha was asked to leave the private establishment. A kirpan is a religious symbol that baptized Sikhs are required to wear at all times.
A 2006 Supreme Court of Canada ruling established that religious symbols like the kirpan are protected and must be accommodated in public settings, provided they remain sheathed and within a certain length.
Following the viral video and ensuing controversy, Tracy Matthews, senior vice-president of experience and safety at GoodLife Fitness, issued a statement acknowledging that the situation did not align with the gym's intended practices. "We have reached out directly to the individual involved to address this matter," Matthews stated, adding that the company complies with all applicable human rights laws.
Matthews also clarified that the employee involved in the incident was not terminated, countering online rumors. Sangha confirmed he received a personal apology via email from GoodLife Fitness, which he accepted. He suggested that the gym should also focus on educating its staff about different faiths.
The incident and GoodLife Fitness's subsequent apology have divided public opinion. While many online supported Sangha's right to wear his religious symbol, others, including some gym members, expressed concerns about safety. One gym member told CTV News that while the individual might not have intended harm, carrying such an item in a gym setting raised safety questions. Online users, including some with large social media followings, criticized the gym's apology, with one user alleging the kirpan was a "hunting knife" and not a true ceremonial symbol, claiming it endangered gym members. This user suggested that most Sikhs carry smaller kirpans discreetly, unlike the item seen in the video, which they described as nine inches long. The gym has not commented further beyond the initial apology.