Canada Politics

In June, India criticized Canada for allowing a float in a parade depicting the 1984 assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards, perceived to be glorification of violence by Sikh separatists.

"They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship," the Indian statement said.

This is laughably dumb. Does he think there is a federal bureau of parade floats? Some idiots in Brampton made an inappropriate float. A year prior, some idiots in Sundre made an inappropriate float that was discriminatory towards towards Sikhs. The federal government, and the country at large, didn't sanction or approve of either float. (You'll also note the lack of complaints from India about the Sundre float, despite India's large Sikh population.)

Both are considered embarrassing and the municipalities should have stopped both. What it doesn't call for, is a draconian federal government that inspects every last bit of speech and expression for potential violations. Hate speech will be treated as every other crime—complaints will lead to charges, the courts will try the crimes, punishments will be dealt.