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The open display of assault rifles by a group of Sikh and other soldiers of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) at the Khalsa Day Parade—the Sikhs’ biggest annual event in Canada–has sparked a row, putting the Canadian government and military authorities in a quandary.
Interestingly, the CAF soldiers—a number of whom were turbaned Sikhs–marched through downtown Toronto carrying assault rifles and were escorted by an armoured vehicle in Sunday’s Khalsa Day Parade in which more than one lakh Punjabis, Sikhs and members of other communities participated.
The event was held to commemorate Baisakhi.
There was no CAF tradition of displaying assault weapons at such events and the armed forces personnel could carry weapons only at specific military parades and demonstrations.
The Canadian army authorities have clarified that normally weapons are not carried at such events and the “decision to have personnel in full fighting order was made by the local commander and was not in keeping with the CAF’s Manual of Drill and Ceremonial”.
Brigadier Joe Paul, the Canadian army’s top commander in Ontario, is investigating the matter and has reportedly prohibited carrying of arms at such events.
This year’s parade also coincided with the federal government’s decision to remove a reference to Sikh extremism from a report on terrorism after it was added for the first time in December, sparking outrage from members of the community.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has said that while the intentions of the CAF to participate in the parade were good, the choice made for it was “inappropriate”.
He says the commander of the 4th Division and other commanders of the CAF will take appropriate action and ensure that it is not repeated.
Meanwhile, the World Sikh Organisation (WSO), Canada, has apprehended that certain forces may rake up the issue using videos and photographs of the event to stir up fear but the parade has nothing to do with extremism. The WSO has also reportedly claimed that the military had earlier also participated in a number of such events.
The decision regarding the army personnel having been in “full fighting order” was said to have been taken following the permission given by the commander of the 32 Canadian Brigade for the army’s participation in the parade.
