AK-47 with school in pic: SFJ event draws criticism

Amritsar: The chairman of US-based Punjab Foundation, Sukhi Chahal, has expressed reservations over a decision by the Surrey School Board and the provincial government of British Columbia to permit the hosting of a Khalistan Referendum event at Tamanawis Secondary School in Surrey. Sukhi described the decision as “deeply problematic on multiple fronts”. The event is scheduled for September 10. According to reports, the India-banned, US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has released promotional material featuring an image of Tamanawis School, juxtaposed with an AK-47 assault rifle, for the event. Chahal, a US-based human rights activist, said, “The use of a government school for conducting a referendum to break India, by elements that are accused of conducting terrorist activities in India, is unfortunate. This makes Canada the first country in the world where government infrastructure is being used openly with the school board’s, city’s, and the provincial government’s backing to attack the unity and integrity of India,” said Sukhi.He added the separatist event was dedicated to Talwinder Singh Parmar, an alleged mastermind of Kanishka bombing which claimed 329 lives.A Sikh resident of Surrey, who chose to stay anonymous for being singled out by Khalistani elements, said, “It appears that the Surrey School Board, city of Surrey, and provincial government of British Columbia are turning a blind eye to hate crimes and violence linked to the promotion of this referendum, all seemingly in the pursuit of political backing, with little regard for public safety.” “The provincial government is answerable to parents for this promotion of gun violence,” he added.