In a forthright denunciation of the recently published Macdonald-Laurier Institute Report by Terry Milewski -Khalistan -Project of Pakistan, the World Sikh Organisation of Canada has rebuked the think tank’s decision to publish the poorly researched report, which makes “unfounded claims and fails to engage in a contextually based analysis and makes no attempt to present a balanced analysis of the issue.”

THE WORLD SIKH ORGANIZATION OF CANADA HAS DEBUNKED the report by retired CBC journalist Terry Milewski, published by Canada think tank Macdonald-Laurier Institute, as controversial and biased. WSO  states that the report fails to substantiate scandalous allegations through reasonable analysis, facts and references.

Published on September 9, 2020, the report Khalistan -A Project of Pakistan, claims that the Khalistan movement is driven by Pakistan and that Sikh activism in Canada- a “predictable drumbeat of victimization, persecution and genocide commemoration….[is] part of a stunningly orchestrated campaign that seduces the best intentions of earnest politicians.”

WSO has endorsed the call of Sikh scholars seeking a retraction of the report by the institute in the name of fairness and Canadian democratic norms and values.

Without mincing words, World Sikh Organisation President Tejinder Singh Sidhu, in his reaction to the report said, “The report uncritically parrots a narrative that is pushed by India with respect to Sikhs in Canada. It is noteworthy that various fake news sites in India published articles in support of the report and Indian embassies across the world published links to the report in a transparently calculated manner, shortly after it was released.”

“The report uncritically parrots a narrative that is pushed by India with respect to Sikhs in Canada. It is noteworthy that various fake news sites in India published articles in support of the report and Indian embassies across the world published links to the report in a transparently calculated manner, shortly after it was released.”

Tejinder Singh Sidhu, President, World Sikh Organisation of Canada

Rebutting the wayward references to the World Sikh Organisation in the report, the WSO President said, “The WSO has advocated on behalf of Canadian Sikhs and human rights for over 35 years, whether it is through appearing at the Supreme Court of Canada on behalf of the Sikh community, launching the Sikh Family Helpline, or training youth leaders via the Sikh Youth Leadership Institute. Our work and track record speak for itself. On the other hand, Mr Milewski’s work leaves little doubt as to whom he speaks for.”

Clearly, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute has touched the raw nerve of the Sikhs and especially Sikh-Canadians. In the healthy tradition of debate and discussion, squarely the ball is now in their court to respond to the Sikhs.