Ontario gurdwaras ban entry of Indian officials

Wednesday, 03/01/2018

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TORONTO: A group of office-bearers claiming to represent more than a dozen gurdwaras in the Canadian province of Ontario have collectively resolved to “bar” officials representing India, its diplomats and others from entering the premises of these places of worship.

This decision was made at a meeting held at the Jot Parkash Gurdwara in Brampton, a suburb of Toronto, on December 30.

“Pursuant to the Trespass to Property Act (1990), the management of this Gurdwara Sahib reserves the right to bar entry to officials of the Indian Government,” said a statement. TORONTO: A group of office-bearers claiming to represent more than a dozen gurdwaras in the Canadian province of Ontario have collectively resolved to “bar” officials representing India, its diplomats and others from entering their premises.

This decision was made at a meeting held at the Jot Parkash Gurdwara in Brampton, a suburb of Toronto, on December 30.

A proforma statement on the ban signed by those attending the meeting noted: “Pursuant to the Trespass to Property Act (1990), the management of this Gurdwara Sahib reserves the right to bar entry to officials of the Indian Government including but not limited to Indian elected officials, Indian Consular officials, and members of organisations who seek to undermine the Sikh nation and Sikh institutions.”

The meeting was held under the auspices of the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee OGC). Amarjit Mann, a spokesperson for OGC, said the managements of 15 gurdwaras in the Greater Toronto Area had “jointly agreed” to this “decision”. He said 30 members of the managements of these gurdwaras were present at the meeting on Saturday.

The statement added: “Keeping in mind the interference of Indian Consular and Indian Government officials in the lives of Canadian Sikhs, Gurdwara Management Committees have jointly taken the decision to bar the entry of these officials... from Gurdwaras across Canada.

“The(ir) presence... makes... the Sikh community uncomfortable due to their agenda of undermining the autonomy of Sikh institutions... It is our obligation to ensure the safety of Sangat.”

Gurpreet Singh Bal, president of the Ontario Khalsa Darbar in Mississauga, better known as the Dixie gurdwara, said, “This decision was taken unanimously. The Indian government interferes too much in the community.”

He, however, clarified that the ban will be on those visiting gurdwaras in their official capacity. “Gurdwara is open for everyone, but when they are on official basis, that’s not allowed,” he said.