Quebec politicians have joined the rank of RACISTS in overwhelming passing a law that bans the Sikh ceremonial dagger known as the kirpan from the legislature. Right from Liberal Premier Jean Charest to the more rightwing official opposition PQ zealots in Quebec Provincial government bear the disgrace of insulting and degrading the religious freedom of the minority Sikhs as well as Muslims. The French, including their cousins from France, have always shown themselves to bigots and racists when it comes to minorities in their amidst but where are the so-called intellectuals and highbrow humanists in their society and how come they are not speaking out against this travesty. Why are they always complaining and crying about the useless French language not being given the treatment across Canada but yet want to stifle other minorities who have the right under the Canadian constitution to practice their faith without fear mongering and hate!
By R. Paul Dhillon SURREY – Quebec politicians have joined the rank of RACISTS in overwhelming passing a law that bans the Sikh ceremonial dagger known as the kirpan from the legislature.
Right from Liberal Premier Jean Charest to the more rightwing official opposition zealots in Quebec Provincial government bear the disgrace of insulting and degrading the religious freedom of the minority Sikhs as well as Muslims.
The French, including their cousins from France, have always shown themselves to bigots and racists when it comes to minorities in their amidst but where are the so-called intellectuals and highbrow humanists in their society and how come they are not speaking out against this travesty. Why are they always complaining and crying about the useless French language not being given the treatment across Canada but yet want to stifle other minorities who have the right under the Canadian constitution to practice their faith without fear mongering and hate!
The 113 MNAs (Quebec’s elected representatives) were present in the National Assembly, including Premier Jean Charest, during the vote and they all voted against it.
While the racist PQ said it was acting to underscore Quebec’s neutrality in dealing with religious groups, the Liberals argued that the ban is needed for security reasons.
The Sikh community rejected both the PQ and the Liberal arguments, saying that the kirpan is accommodated across Canada, including in the House of Commons and the Supreme Court of Canada, reported the Globe and Mail newspaper.
Following the decision to bar kirpans from the Quebec legislature, the World Sikh Organization of Canada expressed its disappointment.
“We’re disappointed that the wearing of the kirpan, which is a human rights issue, has been politicized. Today’s vote represents a turn away from the values of tolerance and multiculturalism. We had expressed a desire to sit down with security at the National Assembly and have a rational discussion about the kirpan butit seems this debate is no longer about the niqab or the kirpan, it’s about the inclusion of minorities in Quebec,” said Balpreet Singh, WSO legal counsel.
WSO had sent letters and education material on the kirpan to the National Assembly’s Sergeant at Arms Jean-Francois Roberge, as well as Premier Jean Charest and Minister Kathleen Weil, inviting them to discuss concerns about the article of faith that Sikh men and women wear.
The kirpan is accommodated across Canada including in the House of Commons, the Supreme Court of Canada, and all provincial legislatures. In 2006 the SCC ruled that the kirpan is not a weapon, but an article of faith. And even Vancouver’s security conscious 2010 Winter Olympics permitted the kirpan.
WSO President Prem Singh Vinning said, “It’s unfortunate that the PQ believes multiculturalism is a value in Canada but not in Quebec. We feel multiculturalism is not just a Canadian value, but a liberal democratic one that allows us all to live together harmoniously. We were also disappointed today to see misleading attempts to categorize the kirpan as a weapon and symbol of violence. The Supreme Court of Canada has clearly stated that the kirpan is an article of faith and that other everyday implements such as scissors are far more likely to be used as weapons.”
Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil avoided the political debate over religious freedoms, saying that while the motion wasn’t really necessary, she defended her government’s decision to support it nonetheless, for “pragmatic” reasons.
“The decision to support it was taken for security reasons,” Weil said, supporting the notion that the kirpan could be considered a weapon as well as an article of faith.
While Quebec politicians were busy justifying this outrageous ban – BC Liberal leadership contenders Christy Clark and Kevin Falcon expressed their disappointment that their Quebec counterparts had taken such a decision.
“It was very disheartening to see the Quebec National Assembly unanimously vote to ban Kirpans, a symbol of the Sikh faith,” Clark said in a press release.
“As a nation built by immigrants, I believe we should embrace new cultures and welcome them into the Canadian community. New Canadians bring a diversity that makes us a stronger country. We should not be telling them they are not welcome in our elected bodies because of their religion.”
Clark said here in British Columbia, she is very proud of the contributions made by new Canadians in strengthening our province economically, socially and culturally.
“I’m proud of the fact all members of the British Columbia Legislature supported a motion, in 2006, that recognized the importance of the Panj Kakkaar – the Kirpan, the Kes, the Kara, the Kanga and the Kacha.
I firmly believe in tolerance and am proud that British Columbia is an example to other parts of Canada of how multicultural groups can work together to create richer communities. No one should ever be penalized or ostracized for their commitment to their faith, they should be celebrated and welcomed,” Clark said.
Falcon also disagreed with the decision, saying the Quebec National Assembly should have taken direction from the Supreme Court on the matter.
“I could not disagree more with this decision. The Supreme Court of Canada clearly ruled that the kirpan is not a weapon but a religious symbol. In my opinion this is a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I am proud of the fact that the British Columbia Legislature welcomes individuals who choose to express their religious traditions, including those who are wearing kirpans,” Falcon said.
“The overwhelming majority of the Sikh community is peaceful and law-abiding. I have worked with the Sikh community for 20 years, and they are passionately dedicated to Canadian values like democracy and freedom of religion.”