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The office of Leader of Opposition in Canada cancelled Diwali celebration event, drawing sharp reaction from the Indian diaspora.
Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (Image: Reuters)
The office of the Leader of Opposition in Canada has cancelled the annual Diwali event for the Indo-Canadian community at Parliament Hill amid a diplomatic standoff with India, according to media reports.
The Indian diaspora group the Overseas Friends of India Canada (OFIC) – organisers of the event – were not given any explanation regarding the cancellation of the event which was slated to be held on October 30.
The group flagged the issue in an open letter alleging “racial bias” by the Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre.
The latest move by Canada comes as the country’s tensions with India have peaked at an all-time high in recent weeks over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.
What did the Indian diaspora group say about Diwali event cancellation?
Shiv Bhasker, President of the Overseas Friends of India Canada, voiced his dismay over the event cancellation stating that no explanation was given by the office of the Leader of Opposition for the event which had been organised for the last 23 years and had seen the participation of Hindus, Buddhist, Jains, and Sikhs.
“However, the sudden withdrawal of political leaders from this event, prompted by the current diplomatic situation between Canada and India, has left us feeling betrayed and unjustly singled out,” Bhasker said.
He raised concerns over the failure of the Canadian leaders to attend the cultural event “particularly at such a delicate time”, sending a “clear message to Indo-Canadians that we are being viewed not as fellow Canadians, but as outsiders”.
“By canceling their participation, our political leaders have failed to draw a necessary distinction between the Canadian Indian community and the actions of the Indian government. In doing so, they have unwittingly reinforced the very stereotypes and racial biases they claim to stand against,” the group’s President said.
Systemic biases still exist: Diaspora group President
Bhasker mentioned the racism and discrimination in Canada and said that the fresh move to cancel the Diwali event has only affirmed the “systemic biases that still exist”.
“This is not just about a canceled Diwali event or an event where the politicians decide to reengage on their commitment to attend; it is about a much deeper, more insidious problem. Racism and discrimination are thriving in Canada, and this latest development has laid bare the systemic biases that still exist,” he said.
“This is unacceptable. We are proud Canadians, and our identity is rooted in this country, not in the political machinations of another nation,” he added.
Diaspora group demands apology for ‘insensitive act’
The group chief further demanded an apology for the “insensitive and discriminatory act” of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and said that they expect actionable course of action to address the “systemic racism and bias that led to this decision”.
“We need to see a commitment to ensuring that no community in Canada is ever made to feel like second-class citizens because of their cultural or ethnic background,” he said.
Bhasker further alleged that Pierre Poilievre turned the celebration event, “what should have been a moment of unity into one of division”, by distancing himself from the occasion.
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