I understand that in Canada we have a diversity of not only race and religion, but of thought and opinion. I think that many people have some empathy for Tamil’s in Sri Lanka who are affected by the actions of the Sinhalese majority government there. The independence movement of the Tamil community in that country is something that is supported by thousands of ex-pat Sri Lankans all over the world, and none so large as the one that resides in Toronto. Unfortunately, like any struggle for independence, there are radicals who have overtaken the greater struggle and warped it to one that takes innocent life in the name of terrorism. Any principled, reasonable person of humanitarian concerns will admit that there is never any reason whatsoever to engage in acts of terrorism to achieve an ends.

That is why we must be unequivocal in our condemnation of those who support the LTTE, or Tamil Tigers terrorist organization in Sri Lanka. There is no place in a free society for the encouragement of barbarism enacted upon others, even though those acts may occur in societies which are not free. Liberal M.P. for Bramalea-Gore-Malton in Ontario, Gurbax Singh Malhi, represents a community that is ethnically similar to the one which he was born into. Born in Punjab, India, in 1949, Mr.Malhi is a pioneer in political breakthroughs for minorities, becoming the first Sikh in the western world to wear a turban in parliament. Being, therefore, a person of principle, is clear enough. Unfortunately, in the likelihood that Mr.Malhi’s geopolitical interest in Sri Lanka as a neighbour of his birth country has spurred on his current stand on the Tamil situation, no person can in good conscience condone Mr.Malhi’s decision to stand in solidarity with terrorists.

By appearing at a rally on Parliament Hill surrounded by militant terrorist flags of the LTTE, Mr.Malhi has taken a stand shoulder-to-shoulder with an organization that is officially recognized as being banned in Canada as a terrorist organization. In a speech made before the crowd, the Liberal M.P. has compromised the priorities of a Canadian Parliamentarian by saying that the Tamils are fighting “for a right cause”. Apparently the decision had been impromptu, having been “passing by” when he decided to speak about the government killing civilians. But perhaps Mr.Malhi would be wise to recall that civilians have been killed in both sides of this struggle, and that by defending the actions of a terrorist organization, he gives undue validity to them, however unintentional on his part.

Mr.Malhi insists that he was unaware of the Tamil Tigers flags visible at the event, but this asks us to suspend a disbelief that would devalue our own intelligence. The flags are not only visible in video and pictures of the event, they are verily flying above his head and practically striking him as they flap in the wind. It is well that the M.P. has since expressed regret, although his regrets are limited to what he terms a “misunderstanding” by the people of Canada that his presence served as a demonstration of his support for a terrorist organization. I am afraid to say that this enfeebled position of half-hearted remorse simply does not wash. One cannot go to a rally in support of Palestine and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who support the Hamas terrorists and bear their flags and symbols without implying consent of what they represent and what they do. Similarly by appearing at a rally where support was given and shown for a terrorist organization, Mr.Malhi has shown incredibly poor judgment, and now an even worse admittance of it.

The only tenable position for the Liberal party of Canada to take on Sri Lanka is one that provides a mixed support of the civilian struggle of ethnic Tamils against oppression by the greater ethnic majority, but that also clearly expresses the moral repugnance of terrorism.

Recommended Reading

The National Post: Liberal MP hit for appearance at Tamil Tigers rally, written by Stewart Bell
Proud to be Canadian: Another Liberal cavorts with possible terrorist supporters, written by Joel Johannesen
Dust my Broom: Video: Liberal MP speaks at Tamil Tiger rally, written by Darcey
Wikipedia Information on Gurbax Singh Malhi.