Daily Times

It is as if the history of highly humane Canadian conscience is repeating its noble act after more than two centuries.

Members of the Sikh community, oppressed terrorized and tormented in the Indian-held Punjab, are finding solace and freedom to live and express their grievances and speak out their political aspirations in Canada just as the African American escapees in the pre-Lincoln era did through underground rail road.

That flight to liberty from slavery was actively helped by the then-Canadian law as well as the people. Similarly, modern-day Canadian lawmakers and intelligentsia continue to stand with the principles of liberty, freedom of speech and the right to express political opinion.

Just as the 1793 Act to Limit Slavery ensured that the oppressed and enslaved people found a haven in Canada, free to live and express themselves, today the freedom of speech and expression of views according to one’s conscience is being afforded to the Sikh community by the Canadian government despite huge pressure and sustained lobbying of India.

In adherence to lofty principles of liberty and freedom, a cherished norm in Western democracies, the Canadian Sikh community is also enjoying freedom to exercise their right to free speech, assembly, and all other peaceful means of expression of their opinion.

Members of the Sikh community, oppressed terrorized and tormented in the Indian-held Punjab, are finding solace in Canada.

Khalistan Referendum voting, the most recent leg of which took place on July 16 in Malton, ON. with thousands of Sikhs participating, is a case in point. Chief Coordinator of the secessionist Referendum in Canada, activist Hardeep Singh Najjar was brutally assassinated, clearly by terrorists hired by Indian agencies, just weeks before the July 16 Voting. Quoting Canada’s premier investigating agency – Royal Canadian Mounted Police RCMP – the BBC reported that Canadian authorities are treating Nijjar’s murder as a targeted killing. That the organizers could still hold the vote in a befitting manner and with huge turnout, goes to show the commitment of the community to the cause of independence.

The next phase of the Khalistan Referendum is scheduled for Sept 10, 2023, in Surrey, BC, the very town Najjar was martyred in. Meanwhile, the Indian Government continues its unrelenting mudslinging not only against the Sikh community but the Canadian govt has also become the favorite target of the Modi regime. Having been earlier accused by India of allowing anti-India activities on its soil, the Canadian security advisor was reported to have said that India remains one of the top sources of interference in Canadian affairs. Diplomatic niceties notwithstanding, the message is loud and clear.

The steadfastness of the Canadian govt on their principled stand i.e. affording full and free right to expression of opinion to all Canadians including Sikhs cannot be compromised.

Organizers of the referendum trust that the Canadian Government would be doing all within its power to bring the conspirators and murderers of Najjar to justice. They rightfully hope that the Sikh community will continue to live in Canada peacefully without fear of brutality from India. One hopes that incidents like the killing of Avtar Singh Khanda in the UK and Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Pakistan would not be allowed to recur, with the due diligence promised by the Canadian authorities.

The writer is Oped Editor (Daily Times) and can be reached at durenayab786@gmail.com. She tweets @dureakram