Ottawa/Canada (September 18, 2012): In a press release sent to Sikh Siyasat Indian Overseas Congress (ICO) Canada leader Vikram Bajwa has tried to invoke Canadian Taxation laws to justify his demand for removal of Khalistan insignias from Sikh Gurudwara Sahibs in Canada. This statement released by by Amanjeet Singh Sandhu, Press Secretary of ICO is in reaction to Canadian Sikh Coalition (CSC)’s statement in which CSC had defended the insignias that symbolizes Sikh will for establishing a sovereign territorial state, often named as the “Khalistan”.
ICO’s statement states: “Canadian Sikh Coalition, has mentioned the Rights granted in Canada, under the Charters Rights, as defence not to remove the Political seals of Khalistan from Canadian Religious places”. It is alleged that it was in violation of ‘Revenue Canada’ Tax exempt laws, offered to Religious Churches and Sikh Temples, across Canada.
“We do not have any objections if they form a Political Party in Canada, to promote their ideology, but would respond through media and request Foreign Minister Mr. John Baird, to ask Minister Revenue Ms. Hail Shea, to cancel their Tax Exempt Status, of all Religious places in Canada, who do not adhere to Revenue Canada, guidelines for Religious Charitable exemptions” Vikram Bajwa said in this statement.
“None of the Political parties in Canada, namely Liberal, NDP, GREEN or Conservatives, can have Offices in any Church in Canada, so why a Khalistan Office would be allowed to operate from any Gurudwara in Canada” argues Bajwa.
“Some of the Gurudwaras will definitely loose their status, upon investigation”, he claimed.
It is notable that a pro-Indian state lobby is proactive in Canada that propagates against Canadian Sikhs who openly identify themselves with the Sikh cause for establishment of sovereign state.
Moreover, the awareness as regards ongoing human rights abuses in India against Sikhs and commitment as regards the cause of Khalistan in next generation of Sikhs in Canada is a specific cause of concern for the Indian state, it’s intelligence agencies and pro-India lobby. This has given rise to the tussle between two antipathetic power centers.