Calgary mayor condemns threats against Dashmesh Culture Centre as 'utterly disgusted'

Calgary's mayor has condemned threats made against the Dashmesh Culture Centre, calling the intimidation unacceptable and reaffirming support for the Sikh community.

Centre president Harpal Singh received a threatening call last weekend. Staff say the caller initially claimed to be related to work involving heavy equipment, but the conversation escalated to threats of demolishing the facility. The same individual called back from a different number and repeated the threat, urging people to leave the building.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas responded Thursday with a social-media post saying he was "utterly disgusted." He wrote: "There is no place in our city for this hatred or intimidation."

Farkas recalled his first visit to a gurdwara as a child. "Gurdwaras are places of hospitality, generosity and service. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is fed. People look after each other. Sikh Calgarians are Calgarians. Period. You deserve to worship, gather and live without fear. We stand with you. Hate will never decide who belongs in this city."

The Dashmesh Culture Centre serves as a gathering place for the Sikh community to celebrate religious events. The organization reports serving more than 15,000 members.

Reporters reached out to the Calgary Police Service for comment about a potential investigation but had not received a response at the time of publication.