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Controversy at Surrey parade
Some miss the big picture of Vaisakhi
WSN Network
SURREY: The
controversy over whose photos should be part of the Vaisakhi parade
and which ones must be kept out marred the Vaisakhi celebrations in
Surrey, BC once again, a few politicians kept away, some who
attended made politically correct noises later but a large mass of
the Sikhs kept itself aloof.
A photo of
Talwinder Singh Parmar had caused some flutter last year among
Liberal, Conservative and New Democrat politicians. Some
Surrey city
officials had sent letters to politicians warning them the parade
would again include controversial images.
New Democrat MP
Penny Priddy did attend, but said she didn't approve of the
contentious pictures. Surrey Mayor Diane Watts also attended but
said words to qualify her participation. Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal
proved to be a hero and was the only federal politician to speak
from the main stage.
Parade
organizers set up a separate tent on the grounds of the Dasmesh
Darbar gurdwara for a 'Sikh genocide in
India' display
that included photographs of many martyrs of the Sikh community. Men
like Ujjal Dosanj and his ilk can be trusted to even create a
controversy around it. The parade sent a clear message about ill
treatment of ethnic minorities in India.
But any
controversy should have been shadowed by the enthusiastic
participation of tens of thousands who lined the streets of
Surrey. Free
food, devotional music and the community spirit marked the occasion.
Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts spent hours walking along the parade
route, greeting families happy to see their city council out for the
event. She steered clear of the official outdoor stage on the
grounds of Dasmesh Darbar gurdwara.
"Everybody is
very happy that I am here," Watts said. "It is a family celebration
and that's what we are here to do is be with the community and
celebrate this wonderful event."
16
April 2008
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