Canadian Sikh influencer draws flak after using school shooting to promote magazine: ‘Deport him to India’

A Canadian Sikh influencer stirred a row after posting a video of himself dancing and promoting his new magazine following a deadly school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.Gurdeep Pandher shared the video on social media showing himself performing bhangra. He said the performance was intended to “carry hope across borders.”Pandher is described as a Canadian “positivity author.”Pandher wrote: “A wave of sorrow ripples through Canada, both in news and on dinner tables. Hearts are heavy, emotions raw and shared openly. Yet in our darkest hours, joy emerges as both balm and mental medicine—a light that heals what words cannot. In that spirit, I offer this video: a small burst of brightness to carry hope across borders and mend what breaks within us,” Alongside the video, he promoted his publication, The Gurdeep Magazine, writing: “This winter, I brought to life something that has lived in my imagination for years—the first annual print edition of The Gurdeep Magazine. It features writing from other contributors alongside my own work. If you feel called to hold this warmth of printed words in your hands, visit Gurdeep.ca/magazine.”The post was not taken well on the internet, given the timing. It was later deleted from X. Social media users said Pandher’s decision to promote his magazine in the wake of the tragedy was too insensitive.

Social media reaction

The backlash comes after a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday, carried out by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who identified as transgender. Van Rootselaar first shot his mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at home before travelling to the school and opening fire, killing five students and a teacher. He later died by suicide at the scene.