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Press Release on act of discrimination & harassment at Surrey's Mandir (temple)

9-04-2019

Federation of Hindu Temples and Associations of BC and Hindu Sikh Forum of North America held a Press Conference at Surrey’s Lakshmi Naryan Mandir in support of Govt. of India's decision to abrogate article 370 and 35 A on 15 August 2019.

During the questions and answers session a responsible member of Mandir’s administration made some irresponsible and truly disrespectful comments to a reputed journalist Mr. Haroon Ghaffar who was representing OMNI news at the press conference. In response to Mr Ghaffar question about the current human rights situation in Jammu & Kashmir, one of the panellists, Mr. Parshotam Goel instead of responding to the question, in a fit of anger asked his name, background & employer of journalist and said that ‘there is no place here for a selective mindset’. And apparently after this, Mr. Goel asked Haroon Ghaffar to leave the Mandir/Press conference.

We believe that Mr. Parshotam Goel maltreated Mr. Haroon Ghaffar on the basis of his background and as such it was discriminatory and was motivated by some hate & divisive prejudice. It also tantamount to silencing sane voices, ran counter to Canadian values of free speech, work ethics of Places of worships who are expected to lead by example and play positive roles in spreading Love, Peace and Harmony, bridging the differences and not creating rifts among communities.

Canadians of Pakistani and Indian origin in the lower mainland are living in peace and harmony for decades and have found ways and means to put their differences aside and have formed bond of lasting friendships in their new country, called Canada. However, we feel that this act of Mr. Parshotam Goel of Lakshmi Naryan Mandir might hurt the strong ties between certain segment of Indian & Pakistani diaspora here and instead of bringing them closer could drift them apart which would be highly unfortunate. 

We urge all people of saner voice to oppose voices creating division led by Mr. Parshotam Goel by extending solidarity with Mr. Haroon Ghaffar, thereby promoting the value of freedom of expression and counter politics and creed of division. 

We also urge Surrey’s Lakshmi Naryan Mandir administration to accept that Mr. Goel’s remarks were irresponsible, inappropriate and undesirable and would impress upon Mr. Goel to tender formal apology to Mr. Haroon Ghaffar and OMNI news. 

We are,

board & members of;

Pakistan Canada Association (PCA) 

Committee of Progressive Pakistani Canadians (CPPC)

Pakistani Canadian Cultural Association (PCCA)

Pakistan Canada Women Society (PCWS) 

Pakistan Youth Council (PYC)

Surrey, BC

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Article Source: ALAMEENPOST.COM