Hardliners hold rally in Ottawa, Jagmeet keeps mum this time
TORONTO: Even as hardline Sikh organisations in Canada held what they termed the “largest ever rally” to mark the Operation Bluestar anniversary, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh remained curiously silent this time, a year after he accused the Indian government of initiating a genocidal campaign against the minority community beginning with a military invasion of the Golden Temple.
The rally was held at the symbolic location of Parliament Hill, Ottawa, the seat of the Canadian government. In a statement issued in June 2017, Jagmeet, then a candidate for the leadership of the NDP, had described June 6, 1984 as an “unthinkable day” and an “attempt to extinguish the Sikh community.”
He has come under scrutiny in the Canadian media this year over his appearance at controversial events aimed at seeking a separate Sikh homeland and he had to soften his earlier stance .
This also comes in the wake of examination of the Khalistan movement in Canada following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s difficult visit to India in February. Among the main rally organisers was Sukhminder Singh Hansra, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal Canada (East).
The chief guest at the event was Pritam Kaur, widow of Rashpal Singh, assistant to Jarnail Singh Bhindrnawale and the latter’s image was displayed on posters even as Khalistani flags fluttered in front of the building housing Canada’s House of Commons and Senate.