:dateline:On April 11, Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Justin�Trudeau honored the legacy of the Sikhs in Canada by holding an Akhand Path Sahib to celebrate Vaisakhi. �Later, kirtan was performed and Prime Minister Trudeau said that he appreciated the contributions�of the Sikhs to Canada.
In a statement, Justin Trudeau said, “Sikhism is rooted in teachings of equality, unity, selfless service and social justice � the very values which we all strive to incorporate in our daily lives. Canada is proud to be home to one of the largest Sikh populations in the world, and we thank the community for the immense contributions it makes to our country.”
Justin Trudeau had surprised everyone around the world by appointing four Sikhs to his cabinet. �He later joked that he has more Sikhs in his cabinet than Narendra Modi. �Trudeau’s efforts to honor Canadian Sikhs have been appreciated by Sikhs all over the world. �Trudeau later also announced that he would apologize for the Komagata Maru incident, in which 340 Sikhs were refused entry into Canada in 1912.
“Justin Trudeau has done a very noble thing and we appreciate his gratitude for the Sikhs,� said Jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal, who was appointed as the chief of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib by a gathering of 700,000 last year during the Sarbat Khalsa. “Sikhs have been an integral part of Canada for almost one century and Trudeau has proven that Canada and Sikhs and inseparable.”
Avtar Makkar, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee also appreciated Justin Trudeau’s remarks on Komagata Maru incident. �”It is of great honour to the Sikhs that the Prime Minister has announced to apologize for the Komagata Maru incident. �Sikhs have always respected Justin Trudeau. �I also appreciate him for celebrating Vaisakhi in the Canadian Parliament,” he said.
Kanwarpal Singh of Dal Khalsa, a Sikh organization based out of Punjab, said, “On the eve of Vaisakhi, Sikhs worldwide have receivedwith awe and respect�the news of your offer of a�full apology to Sikhs in the House of Commons on May 18 for the infamous Komagata Maru incident. Your gesture, after a gap of 102 years, is an unambiguous declaration of your commitment to recreate an inclusive society in Canada.”
Gurdeep Pandher, a prominent Sikh writer based out of Canada, said, “Thank you very much, Justin Trudeau, for issuing this statement on Vaisakhi! This means a lot to Sikh community in Canada! Your words also show how diversity is honoured and respected in our great nation. We all look different on the surface, however from the core we are all the same Canadians. Thanks a lot, Mr. Prime Minister!”
WSO President, Mukhbir Singh said, �Vaisakhi celebration program on Parliament Hill was a great celebration of the birth of the Khalsa and Sikhs� history in Canada. The Prime Minister�s announcement of the forthcoming apology allows Canadians to finally move away from a sad chapter in our history. This announcement was the right action to take and we are pleased to hear the forthcoming apology.�
