Extremists tarnish what generations of peaceful Sikhs have achieved
BY ALEX SANGHA, VANCOUVER SUNAPRIL 29, 2010
I believe in a secular and democratic Punjab within a growing and increasingly prosperous India.
The fact that the prime minister of India, Manmohan Singh, is a Sikh is evidence that India has come a long way since the events of 1984.
With that being said, I believe that people who support Khalistan have the right to express their views peacefully anywhere, including Canada, as long as they respect the views of others. This is what freedom of speech and freedom of expression are all about. These are fundamental tenets of our rule of law and cherished democracy.
The Jewish diaspora all over the world played a crucial role in establishing the state of Israel. The Sikh diaspora has equal rights to express their views on Sikh self-determination and sovereignty. Sikhs had their own sovereign state under Maharaja Ranjit Singh before British colonial rule. The concept of a Sikh state is nothing new.
There are many outstanding issues that can be addressed and reconciled through non-violent and peaceful discussion and debate. The international community can put pressure on and lobby the government of India to make amends with the children and families of the victims of the 1984 atrocities.
A government has a duty to serve, protect and represent the people. An acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a settlement would go a long way toward rebuilding trust between all the parties. I am a believer in diplomacy to resolve problems.
Alex Sangha
Delta
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