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Op-Ed: The public and politicians – same event, different perspective

Last Sunday I went to Surrey, BC to see the Vaisakhi, Sikh people parade. At that time I had no clue that another stage was set up for the same event, right behind it. The people wanted to celebrate but the politicians’ concern was their safety related to their presence during the event. All the facts came up on DJ after the event and were mentioned by Hans Smedbol who quoted the “Vancouver Sun” article. I hold my strong belief that most of ordinary people who came to see the parade, even though they knew little or nothing about the facts from the behind the stage, came to the event anyway. The parade was attended by thousands of people of not only Sikh origin but also other residents of the Lower Mainland who came to enjoy it.
David Silverberg asked me a question:
Heard about some contention at this parade, from this Vancouver Sun article, about a couple politicians who weren’t invited to the parade…and if they showed up, there’d be trouble. Any news about this, Joseph?
Thank you, Dave, for asking this, that was a good question, very much related to the event.

The coat of arms of Khalistan  displayed above the gate of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in Surrey...

The coat of arms of Khalistan, displayed above the gate of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in Surrey.

As doing previously in my other articles, I was covering the event from a different angle. I was interested in a vibrant and colourful, cultural display of one of the most significant visible minorities of the Lower Mainland. The event was very well organized, policed and secured. There was no incident reported that could have compromised the overall public safety.
But the politicians probably wanted to see it differently and in quoted article, the “Vancouver Sun” on April 16th (Friday), put more stress on their safety two days before the parade in Surrey, than discussing the safety of attendees for the upcoming events on Sunday. From the article, an average reader could get a perspective that during the event there’s a threat of Sikh extremists who display their historical martyrs with conflict with India as well as all the historical background of this long lingering dispute.
Now we have two different images to deal with – the one from the street, during the event and the one from the article. Why do these two things differ so much?
Why do the politicians in mass media focus the public attention on themselves rather than on the event and people taking part in it? Why nobody discusses the public safety but concentrates on safety of a few ones whose presence could be negligible for the event? What happens if they really want to attend and still question the event’s safety? – cancel the event as not secured enough? Why they, if they feel threatened or unsecured, don’t just do something else on Sunday and let people have fun, celebrate or whatever?
Why all these political issues come up when people want to celebrate and before that time nobody has paid any attention to the big yellow-orange flag with dark blue Khalistan coat of arms on it posted some 30 metres above the ground at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara’s temple at 72nd Avenue and Scott Road in Surrey? That flag has been there since the temple was built some 10 years ago and so far nobody has got anything against the insignia of non-existent country of Khalistan displayed there every single day. By the way, the logo of Khalistan has been displayed everywhere in Lower Mainland on many occasions and hasn’t been a sand in anybody’s eye but right now, when there’s time to have traditional fun. Why wasn’t that – if illegal – cut short much before the event? Who could have done that if not the politicians?

Two people praying in Sikh temple  Richmond  BC

Two people praying in Sikh temple, Richmond, BC

Why don’t the politicians (or the media in that matter) listen to the vibe of the street and concentrate public attention on something that doesn’t apply to the many who attend the event?
Why, finally, they alienate so much from the people who voted for them and gave them the right to govern in the name of all? It seems they are not “for people” anymore, but very much “by people” when it comes to getting votes for the top offices as a result of elections. It seems that they are very much “for people” before the elections but there’s not a case after it.
It’s a part of a bigger issue but I am asking the questions now, when the event like this prompted them. The event was meant to be for many but could have equally been cancelled in the name of the few.

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