VAISAKHI, a religious event commemorating the birth of the Khalsa in 1699, plays a key role in our society here in the Lower Mainland with its large Sikh population. It forges bonds with mainstream society by fostering a greater understanding, tolerance and acceptance of Sikhism and is one patch of the quilt that characterizes our diverse society here in British Columbia.

This year, once again hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the popular Khalsa Day parade in Surrey on April 19, which is now the largest event in North America. In order to inform, clarify and solicit community input, the organizers of the event held a press conference this week in Surrey. On panel were the members of the Surrey RCMP Inspector Garry Begg and Officer-in-Charge of Media Relations and Special Events Sergeant Dale Carr, and Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara’s Gian Singh Gill, President, Pary Dulai, organizer and committee member, and Satinder Pal Gill, long time committee member (see photo).

The organizers provided details of the Khalsa Day Parade, including security arrangements, their concern for the environment and focus on having the garbage recycled. This year as well, with over 250,000 expected to attend, they have organized a food drive for the needy.

On the question regarding rules and regulation around displays of violent images depicting Sikh history and where they draw the boundary around what is constituted as a violent image and how they navigate those decisions, Begg said: “It is not clear-cut in law, except that we have been very cooperative with the executive and it is not really the police that make the final decision. We provide a set of ground rules including some sections of the Criminal Code which relate to more than anything else – advocating for genocide, advocating violence against a particular group – that is against the law. Many of the depictions as you refer to are historical events … It is a cooperative process and we work with the executive of the temple and it’s more a matter of persuasion than it is a matter of the application of law.”

He added: “Although we do have … each person responsible with a float, sign a document indicating clearly that they agree that the purpose of the parade is cultural and religious and that they agree that nothing they display on the float will contravene any section of the Criminal Code. … I, like you, have been around for eight years of the parade and it has been much to the credit of the executive’s desire to ensure that the entire event remains a religious, cultural event and a celebration rather than an opportunity for political statements or grandstanding or anything like that.”

A reporter wanted to know what was the need to highlight a separate homeland for Sikhs at this event because it always creates a controversy when Dulai had mentioned that there would be other events pertaining to this subject.

Dulai said: “I think it has been four years now that we have not had any controversy, but I think when you are celebrating the birth … the trials and tribulations that the Sikhs have been through including 1984, they should not be forgotten and I think doing it in the way that it has been done in the last four years, there has not been an issue because everything is self-explanatory – the pictures or the text. But I think we cannot omit anything (about what has happened in Sikh history). We cannot pick and choose what we feel that we like or you like, it is very important to keep everything in context.”

One question alluding to the sensitive climate of the Indian elections was posed with concern of sentiments being provoked with possible religious or political booths being set up on the Nagar Kirtan route and how the RCMP could stop it.

Begg said: “We do not control the stages on private property, and if it was on a sidewalk that was clearly city property, then the City would have jurisdiction over that. As you know the parade route is in line with stages which are on private property and many on mall (property). We do not have any other mechanism other than the building bylaws’ safety concerns for stages put along the sidewalk.”

Someone wanted to know about how RCMP could act to prevent a clash between followers of rival parties in India.

Begg said: “Certainly the police and executive have talked about this … and of conflicting ideas. There may be some cause of concern as a result of that. … I think the event is so glorious and culturally significant I would like to think that moral persuasion can work.”

BY INDIRA PRAHST
Chair, Department of Sociology and Anthropology,
& Race and Ethnic Relations Instructor,
Langara College