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The Coalition of Sikh Organizations is hosting a Community Town Hall on Sunday September 30th, 2012. This town hall was organized to address concerns over recent press concerning statements made by Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna of a "spike" in Sikh extremism in Canada. It has also been reported that Baird has expressed an acknowledgement of a rise of Sikh extremism in Canada and committed to take all possible steps "within the limits of the constitution to curb activities of such extremists groups in Canada.
"As Canadian Sikhs, we are disappointed that our community has yet again been tarnished by these unfound allegations and its time we discuss them as a community", says Ontario Gurdawara Committee Spokesman Amarjit Singh Mann.
The community is deeply concerned, especially in light of tragic incidents such as the Gurudwara shootings in Wisconsin and the racist graffiti at a Khalsa School in Toronto. Such tragedies are often fueled by ignorance and intolerance, caused by sensationalized comments such as those that have been attributed to Minister Baird. More concerning is the fact that these comments are unsupported with any proof or fact by any Canadian authority, yet have the potential to bear a heavy and dangerous implication for the Sikh Community.
Avtar Singh Punia, Chairperson of Ontario Khalsa Darbar said “Since there is absolutely no evidence to suggest any signs of violence or radicalism, we have serious concerns over these alleged remarks made by Minister Baird. I urge Canadians to attend the town hall and discuss these allegations”.
We want to bring together the various Sikh and non-sikh Organizations to provide a platform to share their concerns and grievances of the with Members of Parliament. Numerous community groups as well as federal politicians have been invited to participate. We want to engage in cooperative dialogue, and our aim is to seek to ensure that the Sikh community is not unfairly maligned by such unsubstantiated remarks.
Sikh Community Town Hall
Date: Sunday September 30th, 2012
Location: Malton Community Centre and Library
3540 Morning Star Drive, Hall A
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
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