Pardeep Singh Nagra

In late 1999, Pardeep Singh Nagra – light-flyweight boxing champion of Ontario – was not allowed to box at the Canadian Championships by the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association because he refused to shave his beard which is a mandatory article of faith for Sikhs. Arguing his case, courts ultimately reversed the decision, calling upon the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association to end religious discrimination, uphold the Canadian Human Rights Act and Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and allow Nagra to compete without being forced to shave his beard. Today he serves in the Canadian Police and also works on various social justice issues.