How a Sikh lawyer forced Canada to drop century-old oath to monarch

A Sikh lawyer with roots in a small village in Punjab has triggered a major legal change in Canada, bringing an end to a century-old practice that required professionals to swear allegiance to the British monarch.

Prabhjot Singh Wirring, from Waring village in Punjab’s Sri Muktsar Sahib district, challenged the mandatory oath to the Crown, arguing that it violated his Sikh faith. His case led Canadian courts to rule that no individual can be compelled to swear allegiance to the monarch as a condition for practising a profession.

Born in Canada in 1987, Wirring completed his law degree and applied for admission to the bar in Alberta. He refused to take the oath of allegiance to King Charles, stating that as a Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh, he could not place anyone above his Guru.

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“I am a Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh. I cannot consider anyone greater than my Guru,” Wirring said, making it clear that while he was willing to practise law, he would not take the oath.

At the time, Alberta required all newly admitted lawyers to swear allegiance to the monarch. While similar oaths exist in other provinces, most either make them optional or allow alternative affirmations. Wirring argued that the rule forced him to choose between his faith and his profession, violating his constitutional right to freedom of religion.

A lower court initially dismissed his challenge. Wirring pursued the matter further, and after filing his case in 2022, it moved through higher courts. On December 16, 2025, the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled in his favour, holding that the mandatory oath breached the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and directing the province to amend the requirement.

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In its judgment, the court examined a practice dating back to 1912 and concluded that allegiance to the monarch could no longer be imposed as a compulsory condition for entering a profession or holding a position. The ruling marked a significant shift in Canada’s constitutional practice.

The decision brought relief not only to Wirring and his family but also to others who had objected to the oath on religious or personal grounds.

In Waring village, residents expressed pride that a Sikh youth from their community had brought recognition to the village, Punjab, and India. Villagers said that although Wirring has lived in Canada for many years, he has remained deeply rooted in Sikh values since childhood. His family, they added, is a devout Gursikh family.