When leaders turn a blind eye: Calgary welcomes Khalistan extremism with open arms

This raises significant questions about why Calgary, in particular, has been chosen as the venue for the next Khalistan referendum, and the ties between local leadership and radical organizations.

Political Support in Calgary

The Dashmesh Culture Centre in Martindale, Calgary, known for its radical stance, will host this event. The Gurdwara has banners glorifying terrorists, including Parmar, as “Canadian Singhs Who Attained Martyrdom for Khalistan.” Despite this, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek have shown support for the organization. Just last month, a political parade with banners glorifying Khalistani terrorists was attended by Mayor Gondek and other political figures, including MPs from both the Liberal and Conservative parties.

This level of political support is troubling. The RCMP, Calgary Police, and Canadian Armed Forces participated in the same parade, showcasing an alarming endorsement of an event that glorified Babbar Khalsa terrorists and depicted India’s Prime Minister Modi in a jail suit.

Media Silence and Political Complicity

The mainstream media’s coverage of these events has been minimal, often focusing on the impact on local traffic rather than the deeper issues at play. Dr. Paul Bullen, an expert on political science and religion, highlights the media’s incapability of delivering a comprehensive analysis of Sikh Khalistani terrorism. The lack of critical media coverage and political complicity embolden these radical organizations.

The Dashmesh Gurdwara is also favored by the World Sikh Organization (WSO), which promotes the establishment of Khalistan and holds significant influence at all levels of Canadian government. The Gurdwara is set to host another Sikhs for Justice event prior to the main event at the end of July, with a promotional convoy originating from the Dashmesh Cultural Centre on July 6, coinciding with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s visit to Calgary for the Stampede.

Why Calgary?

The choice of Calgary as the venue for this event is telling. Calgary has become a welcoming place for Khalistani terror-glorifying events, largely due to the support from local political leaders. Mayor Jyoti Gondek, the daughter of a former WSO board member, has been supportive of the host Gurdwara. Premier Danielle Smith and other political figures have also expressed their support, while local law enforcement participates in these events.

A Call for Accountability

Canadian politicians and police institutions must distance themselves from religious organizations that host events glorifying terrorists like Talwinder Singh Parmar. Failing to do so emboldens this behavior and sends the message that Calgary is a haven for terror-glorification events. This is not the message that Calgarians, Albertans, and Canadians want to send to the world.

Calgary’s leaders must be held accountable for their support of these radical organizations. It is imperative that they take a stand against terrorism and violence, rather than aligning themselves with groups that glorify such acts. The future of Calgary and its reputation depend on it.

(With text and photo courtesy from Khalsavox.com)