A Liberal MP disclosed that he faced threats and harassment for not supporting another MP’s motion to recognize violent attacks against Sikhs in India as genocide.
Chandra Arya revealed this in the House on Dec. 6 after MP Sukh Dhaliwal sought unanimous consent to label the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as genocide.
In June 1984, then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star, resulting in the deaths of Sikh activists. She was assassinated later that year in retaliation.
“I believe that as a Member of Parliament, I should be able to express my opinions freely without fear of threats or actions from fellow members,” he emphasized.
The incident occurred when Dhaliwal introduced the motion to recognize the Sikh killings as genocide. Some MPs opposed the motion, as indicated in the legislative transcript.
Related Stories
The Epoch Times reached out to Dhaliwal for comment on Arya’s complaint but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
He further added, “There have been several attempts, both within the parliament and outside, to stop me from freely and publicly voicing the concerns of Hindu-Canadians.”
He urged Hindu-Canadians to contact their MPs and ensure that they oppose similar motions in the future.
“The 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India, following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, were undeniably brutal,” he wrote. “Thousands of innocent Sikhs lost their lives in those tragic events, and we all condemn this violence unequivocally.”
However, Arya expressed that labeling it as genocide is “misleading and unwarranted” and “risks creating a divide between the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada.”
The tension between Dhaliwal and Arya coincides with heightened tensions between Sikh Khalistan activists and Hindus in Canada.
The Khalistan movement advocates for the establishment of an independent Sikh state in northern India known as Khalistan.
Protests reoccurred at the Brampton temple on Nov. 4, with police noting the presence of weapons at the scene.
India denied Canada’s allegations of involvement in the case.
Noe Chartier and Andrew Chen contributed to this report.
Please rewrite this sentence.
Source link
