Sikh bodies challenge Indian-Canadian MP on claim foreign interference inquiry is “anti-Hindu”

Two of Canada’s biggest Sikh representative groups have released a statement addressing a Liberal Party MP’s opposition towards plans for foreign agent registry to be compulsory in the country.

The Ontario Gurdwaras Committee and BC Gurdwaras Council released a joint statement (26.03.24) regarding the recent move by Indian origin Hindu Liberal Party MP Chandra Arya “to remind Mr Arya that he is an elected official for the government of Canada and should behave accordingly” regarding the proposed motion for foreign agent registry.

Chandra Arya, an MP for Nepean (Ontario), is the official government sponsor of a petition which launched last week and calls for Arya’s own Liberal Party government to drop plans for the registry, which would make it illegal to work for a foreign government in Canada without it being public knowledge. Arya has many-a-time been accused of being a propagandist pushing Indian nationalist agendas in Canada, including provably false allegations towards “Khalistanis” (free Sikh homeland supporters).

Foreign agent registry, which is a law nations like the USA already have in place, was among demands made by Sikh orgs towards the government after the assassination of Shaheed (martyr) Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar, last year in June in Surrey (BC). The joint statement by the Sikh bodies said “this motion (for the registry) condemns foreign interference and transnational repression within Canada and calls for stronger protections for effected diaspora community“. The motion was launched by Surrey-Newton MP Sukh Dhaliwal, who is a fellow Liberal Party rep, just like Arya.

The petition Arya has backed, meaning it could possible be raised in parliament, was created by an individual from Coquitlam (BC), which is more than 4000km from the riding (constituency) Arya represents. Speaking on the motion, Arya claimed that it “will further encourage the well-organized and well-funded anti-India and anti-Hindu groups in Canada and will escalate the fear of Hindu-Canadians about the safety of their families”, whilst also claiming Canada has a growing “Hinduphobia” issue.

However, as pointed out by respected Sikh-Punjabi focused Canada based news outlet Baaz, the references made by Arya regarding evidence of Hinduphobia are viewed as possible “false flag” attempts to malign Sikh groups.

See the statement from BCGC and OGC in full below.