NDP leader Jagmeet Singh called on the government to give priority to humanitarian aid and safe haven for Ukrainians seeking asylum in Canada during a press conference at the United Association Local 46 in Toronto on February 24. Tiana Martin / The Canadian Press
NDP leader Jagmit Singh is urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to stop fueling anti-Muslim sentiment in India.
In an outspoken intervention in Indian politics, Singh tweeted Thursday that he was concerned about evidence that Muslims were being actively persecuted in the country.
“I am deeply concerned about images, videos and targeted threats of violence against the Muslim community in India,” he said.
His remarks are an obvious reference to a wave of attacks on Muslims and a viral video of a man threatening to rape Muslim women.
There have also been reports of marches by right-wing Hindu groups threatening and chanting provocative slogans in front of Muslim mosques and homes.
Singh, who is a Sikh, says human rights must be protected and Canada must play a strong role in working for peace everywhere.
In February, a subcommittee of the House of Commons on international human rights heard evidence of persecution of India’s Muslim population.
Nuri Turkel, deputy chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, warned lawmakers that governments were “losing sight of human rights abuses and religious persecution in India against the Muslim population.”
“It is inconceivable that a country with a large Muslim population, which recently had a Muslim president, would now follow this vulnerable group,” Turkel said. “India is a great democracy.”
On Thursday, Singh attended the Vaisakhi festivities in the Greater Toronto area. Vaisakhi marks the founding of the Sikh Baptismal Community, known as Khalsa Panth, by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
During Vaisakhi, Sikhs around the world became involved in the tradition of “sewa” or selfless public service and participated in colorful parades, reflecting on the importance of upholding justice and promoting equality.
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