New Delhi:
Khalistanis may be trying to drive a wedge between Hindus and Sikhs in Canada and hope this division will spread to India, said Indian-origin Canadian politician Ujjal Dev Dosanjh. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, the former Canadian MP and minister said the political class in Canada is asleep regarding Khalistani violence and law enforcement authorities leave much to be desired.
The veteran leader's comments come shortly after a Khalistani mob attacked a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, where a consular camp was being held to help Canadian and Indian citizens who need life certificates to apply for pensions in India.
The attack took place against the backdrop of frosty relations between India and Canada. Ties between New Delhi and Ottawa are at a low point after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of plotting the murder of Khalistani terrorist and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has dismissed the allegations.
Mr Dosanjh described the Brampton temple incident as “unfortunate, unacceptable and reprehensible”. He said Khalistani violence has long been a problem in Canada. “It died down for a while, but with the arrival of (Justin) Trudeau it reared its ugly head again,” he said.
The 77-year-old, a native of Jalandhar district of Punjab, said these incidents are not isolated. “Khalistanis have long committed violence against other Sikhs in their temples. The government and law enforcement have not paid much attention to it. It has spread to Hindu temples, partly because consular officials were present.
“Perhaps it is a plan by the Khalistanis to try to drive a wedge between Sikhs and Hindus who have lived as peacefully here as in India. Their attempt is to create some division and carry that division into India. the country,” Dosanjh said.
Canada's political class, he said, was asleep on these issues. “They have not condemned, not named and not raised the Khalistani violence. Even in the indictments of three leaders now there is no mention of Khalistanis, it seems these guys came from somewhere out of thin air,” he said.
In response to the attack on the temple, Justin Trudeau said in a message: “The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. Thank you to Peel Regional Police for its quick response to protect the community and investigate this incident.”
Asked if Trudeau was in denial about Khalistan violence, Mr Dosanjh said: “Don't think Trudeau is in denial, he knows what's happening, Khalistanis were in his cabinet, he knows what he's doing. I think he does. because 'why make enemies' even if you have a thousand votes… Khalistanis, why make them angry.”
Mr. Dosanjh said the Conservative Party, Canada's opposition, is following the same playbook. He quoted opposition leader Pierre Poilievre's office as having canceled the Diwali event.
“There is no mainstream political figure (in Canada) who can stand up and say Khalistani hatred has no place in this country. (Gurpatwant Singh) Pannu called for the expulsion of Hindus from Canada. Do you believe that if someone asked for the expulsion of Jews, he would not be prosecuted and investigated?” Mr. Dosanjh asked.
Dosanjh, a Liberal Party MP and Canada's health minister, said people from both Hindu and Sikh communities visited the consular camp that was targeted by the mafia. “The consular officials were not just there to help Hindus, they helped all Indians.”
He said rising Khalistani violence has also created fear in the Sikh community and “moderates have simply walked away.”
