ADVERTISEMENTs
.png)
High drama in Canadian House of Commons over 1984 riots motion
The House witnessed a Liberal MP move a motion to declare the riots as a “genocide” and another Liberal MP oppose it.
Canadian House of Commons Stock Image. / Wikimedia
A move to get the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India declared a “genocide” was not only shot down by dissent from Liberals and Conservative MPs in Canada but also brought to the surface a “divide” in the ruling Liberal caucus.
The NDP leader Jagmeet Singh had announced that he would bring in a motion before the House of Commons to declare the riots as a “genocide”. Liberal MP for Surrey-Newton, Sukh Dhaliwal, actually introduced it on Friday.
During the introduction several MPs, including Chandra Arya of the Liberals, called out “no”. He represents Napean riding in Ontario. Arya later accused his party colleague Sukh Dhaliwal of threatening him while coming out of the House chambers.
Jagmeet Singh wanted the House to take the lead over the rest of the world in declaring the riots as a genocide. He pioneered a signature campaign movement while drafting a petition to the House to this end.
Reacting to the opposition to the introduction, Singh said that the Liberals and Conservatives turned their backs on the Sikh Community and teamed up to block the motion. “It is extremely disappointing, but this is not the end of the road,” he said holding that he would be “addressing this setback directly, and now we are doubling down on our efforts to keep pushing forward.”
Following Sukh Dhaliwal’s aborted attempt to seek unanimity on his motion, Chandra Arya raised a “point of order” to accuse not only Dhaliwal but also another unnamed MP as they allegedly accosted him in the lobby.
Arya also took to YouTube to say, "As a member of Parliament, I should be able to express my opinion, my views, freely in the House and I should not [feel] threatened by any words or actions of my fellow members”.
Dhaliwal later posted on X, formerly Twitter, about his motion, saying that "sadly, some Conservative MPs and one Liberal MP opposed it."
Both Sukh Dhaliwal and Chandra Arya have been raising issues agitating members of the strong South Asian community in Canada. It was Chandra Arya who took credit for getting Hindu month celebrations introduced in Canada after it had endorsed Sikh month celebrations every year.
Arya was also at the forefront in reminding Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that there was a huge difference between the “sacred Hindu symbol of Swastika” and the Nazi symbol of hate Hakenkreuz.
Justin Trudeau had referred to the hooked crosses carried by the transport protestors – as Swastikas -- during the siege of the capital Ottawa in 2022
Arya has been an outspoken advocate for the Hindu community, said Media reports, holding that he has consistently spoken out against what he calls "Khalistani extremists" — a reference to a movement pushing for an independent Sikh homeland in northern India.
In August, Arya travelled to India and met with current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the reports said.
After he visited India, a statement from Global Affairs Canada, the official agency, maintained that Chandra Arya "travelled to India on his initiative and was not representing the Government of Canada".
On the other hand, some of the Canadian MPs belonging to the Sikh community are on the Government of India’s list as “supporters of the Khalistan” movement.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login