"if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen
the side of the oppressor." - Desmond Tutu.

Sikh bodies rally behind Hardeep Singh Nijjar Featured

 

A Canadian activist who has been branded as a “terrorist” by the Indian government was honoured at a special event held at Abbotsford Gurdwara on Saturday, October 10.  

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who is associated with Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a group that was recently banned by the Indian establishment for campaigning for a separate homeland of Khalistan, was presented with a medal by officials of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Society.  

SFJ is seeking a referendum on Khalistan, which has already led to many arrests of Sikh activists in India. The Indian authorities recently designated Nijjar as a terrorist, and have decided to attach his property in Punjab.  

In order to show their solidarity with Nijjar, Sikh societies in BC came together to honour him on the weekend. Nijjar, who is also the President of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, Surrey-Delta, is outspoken against racism and social injustice anywhere in the world.    

Indian officials have been trying to get Nijjar extradited, based on criminal cases filed against him in absentia. The Indian police have constantly accused him of running an arms training camp in BC, and working in collusion with Pakistan to create Khalistan through violent means. However, SFJ has been asking to hold a referendum on the question of Khalistan, and insists that it believes in achieving its goal through a democratic process.  

The pro-Khalistan outfits in Canada feel that the current right wing Hindu nationalist government in India is trying to demonize their movement and suppress any voice of resistance from minority communities.  

 

 

 

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Last modified on Monday, 12 October 2020 00:52
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