Khalistan event in Canada cancelled

Amritsar: Two days after TOI reported that the US-based Sikhs for Justice was planning a separatist event at a Canadian school, and was promoting it by juxtaposing photos of the school and AK-47, the management on Monday announced that it was withdrawing permission to hold the event.The Khalistan Referendum event was planned for September 10 at Tamanawis Secondary School in Surrey town of British Columbia province of Canada. Surrey School District’s associate director (communication services) Ritinder Matthew said promotional material for the event featured images of the school alongside those of a weapon. “Despite repeated attempts to address the issue, the event organisers failed to remove these concerning images and materials, which continued to be posted throughout Surrey and on social media,” he said.Stating that Surrey School District had cancelled the “community rental” due to a violation of the rental agreement, Matthew said the decision had been communicated to the event organisers and the refund process initiated “for any payment made” in this connection.Reacting to the decision, Punjab Foundation chairman and US-based human rights activist Sukhi Chahal said citizen groups from Surrey stood united in their demand for an immediate halt to the event, determined to shield local schools from being used as platforms for promoting terrorism. Earlier, distancing herself from the event, Surrey mayor Brenda Lock said it was not being held with the consent of the city council.