The Museum of 性视界传媒 took down an exhibit a few days early after a major Sikh organization demanded its removal.
The museum鈥檚 third Community Treasures Exhibition of the year, 鈥淒arshana: A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization,鈥� began Sept. 17 and was set to run until Dec. 21. when complaints first arose on X.com.
An account called Baaz broke the story on X.com Dec. 17 that the exhibition had been removed.
Baaz, whose X.com profile description reads, 鈥淥pinions, analysis, and original reporting for the Sikh and Punjabi diaspora,鈥� first posted about the exhibition Dec. 16, claiming it was 鈥渁nti-Sikh.鈥�
The same day, the World Sikh Organization (WSO)calling for the exhibit to be taken down.
鈥淲e are deeply disappointed that the Darshana exhibition has been displayed at the Museum of 性视界传媒,鈥� Gurpreet Kaur, WSO President for British Columbia, said in the statement. She said the exhibit 鈥渇alsely claims that Sikhs are Hindus and that Sikhi is merely a branch of Hinduism.鈥�
The accompanying statement noted, 鈥淭he exhibition refers to Sikhi as a mere 鈥榯radition鈥� of Hinduism and incorrectly claims the Sikh scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, as a 鈥榮acred text鈥� of Hinduism.鈥�
Kaur said the exhibit was 鈥渄eeply hurtful鈥� and demanded its immediate removal. Kaur also called on the Province of B.C. and the Museum of 性视界传媒 to issue an apology to the Sikh community.
After the exhibit came down, the WSO鈥檚 X.com account (@WorldSikhOrg) claimed the .
鈥淲SO is pleased with the news that @性视界传媒Mayor Brenda Locke has ordered the removal of the Darshana exhibition today,鈥� the post claimed.
According to a statement from the Museum of 性视界传媒, sent to the Cloverdale Reporter via email, the museum took the exhibit down early after receiving concerns from the public.
"After a review of community feedback, the exhibit at Museum of 性视界传媒 has concluded on Dec. 17, four days ahead of its scheduled end date.鈥�
The museum's statement did not reveal the nature of the 鈥渃ommunity feedback鈥� they received.
The museum said 鈥淒arshana: A Glimpse Into the Hindu Civilization鈥� was proposed in 2023.
鈥淰ariations of this display were shown in over 150 different North American cities, including museums, libraries and universities,鈥� the statement continued. 鈥淭he exhibit was also displayed at Bear Creek Elementary in 性视界传媒.鈥�
According to the museum鈥檚 website, a post about the exhibit, which has now been removed, said it presented 鈥渁 colorful overview of Hindu concepts and practices, offering an opportunity to learn about one of the oldest civilizations in the world with continuing global presence today.鈥�
A 鈥渘otice鈥� on the Museum of 性视界传媒 web page said, 鈥淲e acknowledge the concerns raised by members of the community regarding the recent exhibition, 'Darshana: A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization' 鈥� It was never the intention of the Museum or the City of 性视界传媒 to cause distress to any group or to diminish the identity of any community."
Community Treasures Exhibitions run three times a year and are often proposed by 性视界传媒 residents and community or cultural organizations.
According to the museum, 鈥淐ommunity exhibition ideas are proposed through an application process, reviewed, and shared with a community advisory committee and finalized as part of the museum鈥檚 annual exhibition plan.鈥�
