Canada to curb activities of ‘pro-Khalistan’ extremists

[Azaad]

Canada today assured India that it would do everything possible to curb the activities of ‘pro-Khalistan’ extremists from its soil as the issue figured prominently during talks between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and visiting Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird.

Ottawa also offered to supply natural gas to India and reassured New Delhi of its commitment to fast-track the remaining procedures for the implementation of the civil nuclear deal signed between the two countries in June 2010.

Addressing a joint press conference with Krishna after the talks, Baird said India and Canada were on the same page as far as the fight against extremism and terrorism was concerned. He acknowledged that Krishna had raised with him reports of pro-‘Khalistan’ groups regrouping in Canada and their events being attended by even Canadian leaders.

“We have taken note of that (India’s concerns)...our government will do everything possible to control radical extremism,” he said.

Baird pointed out that whenever incidents of anti-India activities came to the notice of his government, it had taken appropriate action. The government was also trying to sensitise Canadian officers about the sensitivity of the issue so that they could act with better understanding.

The Canadian leader recalled that Canada had listed certain groups as terrorist organisations in 2003. “We agreed that we got to do more to tackle this challenge and we are completely on the same page as India. Extremism is completely unacceptable,” he added.

The two ministers are understood to have discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as international issues. Responding to a question, Baird said Canada had no concerns with respect to nuclear proliferation from India. This was one of the prime reasons why it had entered into a nuclear pact with India. He was confident that the two sides would soon conclude all the formalities so as to implement the nuclear deal.

Krishna, on his part, said India looked forward to early completion of negotiations on appropriate arrangements for the nuclear accord. He said India was pleased with the progress the two countries were making on bilateral framework agreements like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and the Social security Agreement. These were in addition to a number of accords for cooperation in areas like agriculture, mining and higher education signed over the last few years.

The Indian minister said Canada could be a true partner in India’s pursuit for food security as well as energy security. Trends in supplies and price of oil and gas have made Canada an economically attractive option for sourcing India’s requirements.

[Jonny101]

The Indian government should be more concearned about terrorists in their ranks such as Tytler who have blood on their hands yet roam free.

This world is full of hypocrisy. A state government(like the GOI) which is recognized by other nations is free to bully and terrorize it's population anyway they want, yet nationless nations(like the Sikhs) are branded as terrorists and separatists if they even ask for their rights.

Ultimately the biggest mistake is ours that our leaders trusted nehru and gandhi in 1947 instead of demanding the restoration of the Sikh nation from the British. Master Tara Singh and Sardar Baldev Singh are said to have greatly regretted after the independence of India for not carving out a Sikh nation when they had the chance but by then it was too late to do anything.

[Only five]

What do you expect from a majority conservative government. If this government could, they would burn the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and re-write only they have the right to freedoms in this state. Harper is all for oppressing and pushing out minorties out of Canada. And just in case somebody is thinking...............but..but their is a sardar on his cabinet...........he will come to the rescue. Sorry this minister is only kept in Harper`s pocket for fashion show run ways. Don`t invest a dime in this minister....your shirt, boots, tie, and pants will go missing the next morning.....forget about the dime.

[Singh, Mahan]

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Source: http://www.globaltvbc.com/bc+politicians+deny+helping+sikh+militants/6442713964/story.html

B.C. politicians deny helping Sikh militants

The Province : Wednesday, September 12, 2012 8:47 PM[/left]

Vikram Bajwa;Indian Overseas Congress president and ex Surrey mayoral candidate;claims that MP Nina Grewal and former MP Sukh Dhaliwal have raised funds for the Khalistan militant campaign — claims that the B.C. politicians strongly refute.

Two local politicians are sharply refuting claims made by the president of the Indian Overseas Congress that they have aided the Khalistan movement.

Indian media reported last week that Vikram Bajwa, the IOC president and former Surrey mayoral candidate, made allegations that Nina Grewal and Sukh Dhaliwal have travelled frequently to Pakistan to collect funds that were diverted to keep the Khalistan militant campaign, which seeks to create a separate Punjab state, alive.

Grewal, the Conservative MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells, and Dhaliwal, who was Liberal MP for Newton-North Delta from 2006 to 2011, both denied the report.

“[bajwa] has made slanderous, false allegations against me that have not a shred of truth to them. He claims that I frequently visit Pakistan – although I’ve never been there. He claims I collected money while there for a Khalistan campaign – totally false and impossible since I’ve have never even visited the country,” said Grewal said in a statement.

“[He] has fabricated a story that has absolutely no basis in reality. His claims are without fact or merit.”

Dhaliwal issued a statement through his lawyer Leslie Mackoff, also refuting all claims made by Bajwa.

“Mr. Dhaliwal has been to Pakistan once in his life in conjunction with a trip to India in 2011. He has never provided support of any type to the Khalistan movement. It is abundantly clear to us that Mr. Bajwa is committed to making mischief without any factual foundation for doing so.”

Both Grewal and Dhaliwal’s lawyer demanded an immediately apology and retraction by Bajwa, and said that any publication of his claims would be slander.

The claim came on the heels of Foreign Minister John Baird assuring Indian reporters that Canada was committed to curbing extremist groups amidst reports of stepped-up activities of Khalistani militants.

“We are committed to doing whatever we can within the limits of the constitution to curb activities of such extremist groups in Canada,” Baird told reporters today in New Delhi during a joint press conference with Indian external affairs minister SM Krishna.

Khalistan activists have been campaigning for a separate homeland for Sikhs in India and their supporters are active in Greater Vancouver and Toronto.

“Once the activities of these groups are brought to our notice, we take action,” Baird said at a joint press interaction with Indian external affairs minister SM Krishna after their talks.

Bajwa said that Pakistan had been stoking the Khalistan fire among non-resident Indian Punjabis in the U.S. and Canada and also assisting in the electing of many Punjabi immigrants. Bajwa did not specify in his allegations who in Pakistan was providing support or how they were doing so.

Bajwa also took aim at a number of gurdwaras or Sikh temples in the U.S. and Canada that have kept Khalistan seals in their temples. He cited repeated examples of the Dashmesh Darbar gurdwara in Surrey flying pro-Khalistan banners and displaying pro-Khalistan seals. He said he would be meeting Akal Takht head priest Joginder Singh (temporal head) to make an appeal to him to issue a “hukamnaama” (edict) banning use of Khalistan seals in Sikh shrines.

Bajwa also made the bold claim that Pakistani agents had infiltrated the Indian media in Canada, thus disseminating distorted information about the Sikhs in Punjab.

“The second-generation are being misguided by these gurdwaras. It is wrongly influencing young minds.”

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[lsingh]

Canada has its own independance movement in Quebec , do they not see that in the same light as Khalistan? In the UK, Scotland wants independence, there is no crackdown on Scots.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

This is a great opportunity for Sikhs in Canada to show their political strength.

The Sikh Federation (UK) has advised the Canadian Sikh Coalition to launch a mass letter writing campaign through the Sangat at Gurdwaras to Canadian MPs and get oposition MPs to raise Parliamentary Questions. The objective is to explain to as many MPs as possible the democratic right of Sikhs living in Canada to campaign for Sikh self determination and lawfully call for a separate Sikh homeland.

Baird should be made to explain himself, apologise or even resign. MPs and Ministers should get a taste of Sikh community feeling and think twice about sucking up to India at the expense of Sikhs living in Canada that have put them in power to represent them.

[Singh, Mahan]

A letter written to Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird by Balpreet Singh of WSO in response to the reports of discussions between Mr. Baird and Indian Minister S.M. Krishana

Source: http://worldsikh.ca/...Csikh-extremism

WSO writes to Minister Baird regarding allegations of rising “Sikh extremism"

Ottawa (September 12, 2012): 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

–30 –

Contact:

Balpreet Singh

416-904-9110

balpreetsingh@worldsikh.org

[N30S1NGH]

What do you expect? Most western countries are not actual countries but multi-national corporations which would prefer business deals over human rights issues of minorities in India which they consider- tribal issues from tribal people.

We are naive to assume countries like- US, CANADA, UK do not know human rights violations happening in INDIA, CHINA, RUSSIA. They know all that, they just don't care- passing statement from time to time of human rights violations its all strategy of being politically correct- to look good infront of UN/international stage, some of it its strategy of proxy war happening between these countries on high level, it be extremely naive to think they genuinely care.

Just picture yourself as representing big pool of corporations name- USA, CANADA OR UK, if during business dealing with India which happens every day, small group in india brings human rights issue to plate, are we really naive to think- big corporations will kill their business dealing with India by putting pressure on India.??

When I wear evil goggles of big corporation working out business deal with India and see small group of people protesting be it - kashmiri, sikhs, muslims, christians- i only see tribal group are bickering and i ignore them or pass small universal "human rights statement" hoping these tribal groups go away.

I used to think captalism is something to do with conservatives only but its cycle liberals or ndp parties would be part of it in Canada as well after one gives deep thoughts, its all same crap- minorities suffer in hands of powerful countries like- India, china, Russia..

CSIS know all the human right abuses in punjab/delhi how culprits are roaming free , how GOI tries its best to demonize sikhs in Canada, even know who are real culprits behind air india bombing which is GOI but they still refuse to do anything? Why? Because it does not matter at the end of day as long as business deals are made with India- super power in asia on daily basis and as long as its business as usual- human rights does not matter..!!

So response by balpreet singh was good but lets try spending more energy towards awareness of sikh religion instead of dwelling and begging infront of huge transnational corporations like US, CANADA, UK to put pressure on India human right abuses..its not going to happen, surely may get sweet talk from mps of all different parties in election time but on a bigger picture, nothing is going to happen..i.e- pressure in UN, sanctions etc..!!

For me khalistan or khalsa raj is not limited to banners or placards. The actual khalsa raj or khalistan is when each sikh born becomes khalsa of sri guru gobind singh ji maharaj to serve humanity, nature and stand up against injustice..!!!

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Using the multi-national corporation logic - Sikhs in Canada (Sangat) should see them as shareholders.

Directors of the multi-national will listen/respond to shareholders if the shareholders (Sangat) are organised and have an effective campaign.

Directors (politicians) will fear losing their jobs and are also concerned with reputations with the wider 'non-Sikh Sangat' (voters).

[lsingh]

When human rights abuses get enough coverage , then multinationals back away from problem countries. We just have to be more effective in bringing the message across. Many of the arab governments were over thrown when awarness spread amongst the population and abroad of their own governments abuses. The Sikh TV in the UK has increased awarness in the UK about the Sikhs situation, thousands turn out to demos and we do not get UK politicians making negative comments about Sikhs in public.

Canada also needs to do this , for years nobody has replied back to negative politicians and media in numbers.

Also the Overseas Congress and Communists should be exposed as representatives of organisations that have massacred Sikhs, politicians and media would then distance themselves from them,