Canadian mayor heckled over Khalistan referendum
PATRICK BROWN, the mayor of the Canadian city of Brampton, faced an unpleasant experience at a local Hindu temple recently as he was reportedly heckled by the Hindu community for allegedly allowing ‘anti-India elements’ to conduct their ‘Khalistan Referendum’.
According to Canada’s TAG TV, the mayor was asked by the diaspora to remove banners that gave hateful messages against the Hindus from all over the city. It said the banners displayed messages such as ‘Sikh infants burnt alive by Hindu mobs’.
When Brown was asked whether he would remove the controversial banners, he said, ‘We love everyone’.
On Sunday, Brown said in a tweet, ‘I have heard many complaints about Brampton by law department and illegal signs. Brampton by-law has removed over 9400 illegal signs since September 1st. If you see illegal signs please submit to 311 and they will do their best to have them removed quickly.’
The mayor was reportedly heckled in the presence of four federal parliamentarians; three provincial parliamentarians, and a couple of city councillors.
Chandra Arya, an Indian-born Liberal parliamentarian, urged the people to calm down saying, ‘We do have strong differences but Mr Brown is our guest in the temple.’
In October, 400-500 people clashed in the
Malton area of the city of Mississauga during the Diwali celebrations, a video of which went viral on social media.
On Sunday (6), pro-Khalistani activists held the second phase of the ‘Khalistan Referendum’ which was announced by the Sikhs For Justice outfit. The first phase was held on September 18.
India had also asked Canada to stop the so-called referenda in Ontario.
The Canadian government told India that it will not recognise the ‘Khalistan’ referendum of November 6, India’s ministry of external affairs said on Thursday (3).
Reports said that voting held under the supervision of the Punjab Referendum Commission and Sikh men and women from Greater Toronto Area (GTA) voted.