Sikh body pays tribute to Kanishka victims

Ottawa: Often under pressure to underline its distance from any group even remotely involved with the Kanishka bombing, Canada’s Sikh community seems to be going all out to state its position of solidarity with the dominant Canadian feeling of rage and anger at the tragedy. The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has this year paid tribute to all victims of the Air India airplane tragedy that claimed 329 innocent lives and caused pain and hardship to many more. This year marks the 24th anniversary of the downing of Flight 182, off the coast of Ireland. “The loss of 329 lives is a loss for all of society, and not just a loss for the victims’ families,” said Ram Raghbir Singh Chahal, President of the World Sikh Organization. “Amongst the victims were accomplished humanitarians, scientists, artists and community activists, from many different faiths: Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. The incomprehensible criminal act that resulted in the loss of their lives is an affront to all right thinking Canadians.”
Speaking about the political aftermath of the Air India tragedy, Gian Singh Sandhu, Senior Policy Advisor for the World Sikh Organization, stated, “Tragically, the Sikh community has been doubly victimized from this tragedy. Not only were there significant numbers of Sikhs amongst the victims, but the Sikh community of Canada has lived under a cloud of suspicion ever since. Sikhs routinely faced interrogation, harassment and intimidation, by Canadian authorities in the first decade following the Air India tragedy. While the harassment has dissipated over time, the wounds left in its wake have not. Sikhs continue to face widespread public hostility, and are still largely misunderstood due to the very successful anti-Sikh media campaign launched against them throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s.”
24/06/09 World Sikh News

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Categories: Air India - International Jun 2009, Foreign Jun 2009, NACIL Jun 2009, Safety Jun 2009