OTTAWA — A lawyer representing one of Canada's largest Sikh organizations says the federal government needs to either prove that there is a threat from Sikh extremist groups in Canada or delete a section in a recent report alleging there is.
Sikh Canadians were outraged this week when the annual report from the public-safety ministry documenting terrorist threats to Canada included a section on Sikh extremism for the first time.
Liberal MP Randeep Sarai, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and the World Sikh Organization are all among the voices demanding an explanation, saying there is nothing in the report documenting actual evidence that Sikh extremism is a problem.
— Randeep S. Sarai (@randeepssarai) December 14, 2018
We must call out terrorism wherever it occurs, including recent attacks from the far right targeting women in Toronto & Muslims in QC. The Liberal's public safety report fails to do this – but does stoke fear w/o any evidence about the Sikh community, which is dangerous & wrong.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) December 14, 2018
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says he has asked his officials to review the language used in the report to ensure there is nothing in it maligning any particular religion or group.
But Balpreet Singh, the lawyer for the World Sikh Organization of Canada, says reviewing language isn't good enough.
Singh says the only difference between last year, when the report didn't mention Sikh extremism, and this year, is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a disastrous trip to India and he feels Canada is trying to appease India by including this section in the report.
These are some Sikh values:
— Gurratan Singh (@GurratanSingh) December 14, 2018
• Fighting for justice
• Challenging the oppression of women
• Working for the benefit of all humanity
Sikhs strive to make Canada a better country
It’s wrong and unfounded for the Liberal govt to label us as a terrorist threat to Canada pic.twitter.com/vsHEa1nvAi
In the absence of an explanation, a complete retraction of "Sikh" and "Khalistan" from the Terror Report must be made
— Jaskaran Sandhu (@jaysingh_01) December 14, 2018
Why all of a sudden are Sikhs a top 5 terror threat in Canada - over what?
Speaking or supporting Sikh self determination (i.e. Khalistan) is not terrorism. https://t.co/KgcqvuPBic
From our Executive Director, @jaysingh_01, regarding @RalphGoodale's Terror Report maligning Sikhs:
— WSO (@WorldSikhOrg) December 14, 2018
"We stand strong, together.
And, with that strength, we never compromise on our principles."https://t.co/03o0ZURL4i
***UPDATED: SIKHS RESPOND TO UNSUBSTANTIATED 'SIKH EXTREMISM' INCLUSION IN CANADIAN GOVT TERROR REPORT***
— SikhPressAssociation (@SikhPA) December 14, 2018
Read the full story here: https://t.co/4Kv93UrQtG pic.twitter.com/Jju03FQQme
My letter to @RalphGoodale regarding the Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada.
— Harkirat Singh (@iHarkiratSingh) December 14, 2018
Cc:@MPRubySahota @RajLiberal @KamalKheraLib @sangharamesh @SoniaLiberal @JustinTrudeau pic.twitter.com/Y1ZYKRZ68j
For Sikhs, is Canada becoming like India in this sense: even having high ranked politicians & civil servants will not spare us a label of terrorist, maligning accentuated by media. Ruling @liberal_party Sikhs, how are you really helping right now in this matter? #SikhMatters pic.twitter.com/aRIzEfy28P
— Harinder Singh | ਹਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ (@1Force) December 14, 2018
You're not telling the truth @SohiAmarjeet. @RalphGoodale has a preamble to the report and the Ministry does play a role in putting together the report which maligned Sikh Canadians#AskCanadianSikhs #cdnpoli #abpoli pic.twitter.com/LdHA2yzElZ
— Harman Singh Kandola (@harmankandola) December 14, 2018
Thread (1/2) While “Sikh extremism” has, unfortunately, been used by many in Canada for the last 25 years. I have always questioned this. It paints an inaccurate and offensive picture of an entire community, whether intentional or not. pic.twitter.com/wtaxgOARlp
— Amarjeet Sohi (@SohiAmarjeet) December 14, 2018
(2/2) When I became aware of this report, I acted promptly and shared my concerns with @RalphGoodale. There is genuine frustration & hurt as a result of this report.
— Amarjeet Sohi (@SohiAmarjeet) December 14, 2018
I will always stand up for the Sikh community & oppose the marginalization of any community based on its faith.