Protest in front of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s office against attacks on Hindus
TORONTO: Several members of the Indo-canadian community staged a protest in front of the office of New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh and asked him to act to counter growing attacks on Hindus in Canada by pro-khalistan elements engaged in opposing farm reforms laws passed by India’s Parliament.
The protestors gathered outside the office of the Federal NDP leader in Burnaby in the province of British Columbia. Singh represents the riding of Burnaby South in the House of Commons.
Under the banner of Concerned Citizens of Burnaby, BC, they gave a memorandum to Singh’s staff, calling upon him to monitor and analyse hate speech against Hindus across Canadian schools, institutions, workplaces, and social media; address the root causes of “hate against Hindus arising from the Khalistani movement”; engage and support victims of hate speech and mitigate the current situation; mediate and build coalitions between Sikh and Hindu groups and protect and support the Hindus of Canada and stop these hateful attacks against them.
“Hindu community members in Canada have in recent weeks reported multiple incidents of threats and intimidation by pro-khalistan elements, who have hijacked the antifarm laws protests in Canada. Khalistan-supporting organisations are working under the pretext of the farmers’ rights movement in India. The discourse against the Indian government is being weaponised for political gain with incendiary rhetoric that stigmatises and dehumanizes Hindus in Canada,” the memorandum read.
“Your silence can signal indifference to bigotry and intolerance, even as the situation escalates and vulnerable Hindus become victims to violence,” it said. Organisers of a recent ‘Tiranga Rally’ in Vancouver had faced threats and even protest by those carrying Khalistan flags.
In a video, one of the protestors standing in front Singh’s office said: “We are not against the farmers’ protest but this has now turned into a Khalistani movement, which is targeting Hindu visible minorities and we expect our leaders to protect everyone without any racial discrimination.”
Singh has been among the most vocal Canadian politicians in supporting those protesting against the three contentious Indian agriculture laws. He recently appeared on the talk show ‘A Little Late with Lilly Singh’ and discussed the issue.
On January 29, after the events on Republic Day in New Delhi, Singh tweeted, “I am deeply concerned about violence against farmers in India. Those calling to harm farmers must be held accountable and the right to peaceful protest must be protected. I am calling on (Canadian Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau to condemn the violence, immediately.”