OTTAWA, CANADA—The World Sikh Organization of Canada has written to Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird following reports that during his recent visit to India, Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna made allegations of a “spike” in Sikh extremism in Canada. It has also been reported that Minister Baird committed to take all possible steps “within the limits of the constitution to curb activities of such extremist groups in Canada.”
These recent allegations of “rising Sikh extremism” in Canada are only the latest in a series of similar allegations that have been made by Indian government officials since 2007.
In his letter to Minister Baird, WSO President Prem Singh Vinning said, “as a national human rights organization that has been deeply engaged with the Canadian Sikh community for nearly three decades, we have yet to see any signs or evidence of this alleged rise in extremism. The World Sikh Organization of Canada has repeatedly called for proof of such claims but none has been forthcoming…There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that there is any threat of violence or radical extremism in the Sikh community today.”
Despite the Canadian Sikh community being more tightly woven into the Canadian fabric than ever, the continued baseless allegations of “rising Sikh extremism” have proven extremely damaging. The WSO has earlier linked allegations of extremism in the Sikh community with a rise in racism and discrimination against Canadian Sikhs, including hate speech and racist graffiti equating Sikhs with terrorists. Mr. Vinning said, “we fear that this hostility could escalate, particularly if it appears that the rhetoric about Sikh extremism is endorsed by our own government.”
What appears to be the motivation behind these allegations of “rising Sikh extremism” is a desire to quash legitimate discussion in the Sikh community of ongoing human rights abuses in India. As Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly reported, impunity for abusive policing remains a pressing concern in India, with chronic allegations of police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and torture. Those speaking out against human rights violations in India are not extremists or radicals; they are part of a long, proud tradition in Canada of encouraging foreign states to improve their human rights practices.
The WSO, on behalf of the Canadian Sikh community calls upon Minister Baird and the Canadian Government to defend the rights and reputation of Canadian Sikhs and ask that India provide evidence of the alleged “rise in Sikh extremism.”
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status
here you go dudley centre open again that extrimist sikhs attacked last year
http://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/9922338.Dudley____seige_centre____open_again/
If extremist want to file a case then do that.Who is stopping you guys?
If you guys blow up a government official then what you expect?
Tell canadian public how you killed beant singh, next day they don’t see difference between you and muslims.
tell your idiotic self about the illegal cremations of innocent civilians by indian police and jaswant singh khalra. suddenly, the truth doesn’t seem so black and white does it?
The Indian gorment beats us, rapes us and kills us, then stops us from crying and raising our voices. Pathetic
Then how can Sikhs become Prime Minister,Chief Minister,chief of army staff,etc.
Yeah in US i know how they respect us at the Airports .
They beat only rapist like the guy who raped someone in UK.Whether sikh or non sikh they deserve kick in their butts.These people are shame on SIkhi.
Thank you very much for your strong rebuttal to the Indian trash talk about Sikh extremism in Canada and elsewhere. WSO’s proactive approach is the best tool to neutralise India’s pressure on foreign governments. You must put the Foreign Minister on notice that Sikhs shall not allow their legitimate right of free speech to be trampled at the behest of a government that persecutes and kills its own citizens. Canada has a proud tradition of allowing referendum to its citizens on the Qubec issue.
Please keep up the good work. Thank you
Waheguru!
I had suspected of evil hindus about this since working with them and noticing their backstabbing…telling me to beward of white people I work with, but then, on the other hand, backstabbing about me to my white boss, who with Waheguru’s kirpa, used his unbiased intelligence to know the truth!
Guru pyareo, the only reason why Guru Nanak was born into this jat is due to their extreme evil against humanity, and back-stabbing, which has not even spared Mata Gujri of this evil..Guru Nanak would never have been acknowledge or allowed to preach had He been born in lower caste!
A very tame response by WSO.
Sikhs should Call for the resignation of Baird for spreading baseless canards at the instance of the most corrupt and criminal Indian Government. Ask for an apology from the Prime Minister Harper and launch a multi- billion dollar law suit against Canadian and Indian government for defamation and inciting hatred and possible violence against Sikhs.
Great initiative by the WSO and Balpreet Singh.
A joint law suit should be filed for defamation and slander against John Baird and S.M. Krishna. There has been no evidence at all and yet they are keen to combat what exactly?
John Baird and Krishna are nothing short of racist biggots. It’s no surprise coming from India, but a Canadian is also falling for this trap?