Sunday, December 1, 2024

Calgary’s Troubling Hosting of the Khalistan Referendum and its Implications for Canada

by Antariksh Singh

On July 28th, Calgary will serve as the venue for a controversial event: the Khalistan “referendum” organized by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). One of the event’s prominent organizers, Santokh Singh Khela, carries a dark history, having been convicted in 1987 by Canadian courts for conspiracy to commit mass murder by plotting to blow up Air India flight 112. This decision to host such a figure and event on Canadian soil raises significant concerns about public safety, national security, and the integrity of our political landscape.

Media outlets like Media Bezirgan have extensively covered the activities of the Khalistani political organizations in Canada, highlighting the involvement of figures like Khela. However, the recent CBC article discussing Santokh Singh Khela conspicuously omitted his past as the first Canadian Sikh convicted of terrorism for plotting mass murder. This omission is not just a journalistic oversight but a critical gap that misleads the public about the gravity of the situation and the nature of those involved in organizing this event.

SFJ’s choice of venue, Dashmesh Gurdwara in Calgary, is particularly troubling. The Gurdwara has previously hosted parades glorifying Khalistani Sikh terrorists, including members of the notorious Babbar Khalsa. The fact that this place of worship, supported by all levels of government and police, is being used as a base for promoting the Khalistan “referendum” is alarming. It speaks to a broader issue of how extremist elements can exploit religious and cultural spaces to further their agendas.

Adding another layer to this issue is Jyoti Gondek, the mayor of Calgary, who has close ties to the Gurdwara. Her father was an executive of the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO), an influential Khalistani group. The WSO, whose founding president Gian Singh Sandhu was interrogated multiple times by the RCMP after the 1985 Air India bombings, recently held an event at this Gurdwara. This connection raises questions about the potential conflict of interest and whether personal affiliations are clouding judgment when it comes to addressing such extremist activities.

The decision to host the Khalistan “referendum” on Calgary’s Municipal Plaza is a stark provocation. SFJ has dedicated this event to Khalistani terrorists, specifically Talwinder Singh Parmar, the mastermind behind the 1985 Air India bombings, Canada’s deadliest terrorist attack. By allowing this event, is Canada not indirectly endorsing the glorification of a convicted terrorist?

Santokh Singh Khela’s history is a chilling reminder of the potential dangers posed by allowing convicted terrorists to operate freely. In 1987, Khela and Kashmir Singh Dhillon were convicted for plotting to bomb another Air India flight. Their plans were thwarted thanks to a tip-off and subsequent RCMP intervention. Despite their conviction, the Khalistani Canadian-Sikh community rallied in support, pledging millions to bail them out. This extraordinary community support, while showcasing solidarity, also highlighted the deep-seated radicalism within some sections of the community.

Khela’s conviction for conspiracy to commit mass murder marked him as a significant threat to public safety. The fact that he admitted to being part of Babbar Khalsa, a designated terrorist organization, during his trial, and yet is now organizing events in Canada, is deeply troubling. This raises a pertinent question: How is it that Justin Trudeau’s government allows such individuals not only to remain free but to actively participate in organizing extremist protests?

The presence of such individuals in positions of influence within these events poses a direct threat to national security. It undermines the efforts of law enforcement and judicial systems that have worked tirelessly to prevent terrorist activities and protect innocent lives.

As we approach July 28th, it is imperative for Canadians to question the implications of hosting such events and the message it sends. Calgary, and by extension Canada, must reconsider the permissiveness granted to extremist groups. Our nation’s values, public safety, and the memory of victims of past terrorist acts demand no less. The Trudeau administration must take a firm stand against allowing individuals with a history of terrorism to exploit our democratic freedoms for their radical agendas. The safety and integrity of our nation depend on it.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.

Antariksh Singh

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