Laibar Singh is setting a precedent as the first person to seek sanctuary in a non-Christian place of worship in Canada, according to supporters of the failed refugee claimant, who is facing deportation to India.

In separate phone interviews with the Straight, Denise Nadeau, interim director of SFU’s Interfaith Summer Institute for Justice, Peace, and Social Movements, and Harsha Walia, an organizer with the group No One Is Illegal, noted that the Canadian government has largely respected sanctuary when it has been granted by Christian churches.

The two cautioned that breaching Singh’s sanctuary at Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh temple would constitute a double standard.

“It would be a huge violation of the principle of multiculturalism in Canada because Sikhism is one of the world’s greatest religions,” Nadeau said. “It would have huge implications for Canada’s position towards other religions which aren’t Christian.”

Walia described Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day’s recent pronouncement that sanctuary isn’t recognized under Canadian law as “incredibly concerning”.

“If that sanctuary will be disrespected while other sanctuaries are respected and not breached, then that’s a very dangerous precedent,” Walia said.

Faith St. John, a spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency, reiterated Day’s position. “The fact that a person is hiding in a place of worship to avoid removal does not influence the federal government’s decision concerning the case,” St. John told the Straight.

The CBSA has twice failed to implement the removal order against Singh, who enjoys support within and beyond the South Asian community. A new group named Communities for Laibar Singh was recently formed in support of the paralyzed man, according to founding member Andrea Pinochet.

Radio India host Harpreet Singh told the Straight that the South Asian community is exploring options such as extending financial assistance to Laibar Singh in India if he is deported.