Canada has a very large Sikh population and they form a huge community in the country. Still there are an increasing number of cases of violence against members of the community in recent times. A 17 year old boy was assaulted brutally after an altercation with another youth while traveling on a bus. He was punched and pepper sprayed after getting off the bus. This incident took place on 11th of September in Kelowna.
According to the police, there was an altercation between the victim with another boy on the bus. The victim was threatened by a lighter and a photograph while another boy recorded the video. As things escalated, they were kicked out of the bus. The boy was kicked and punched afterwards.
The police have identified the suspects involved in the incident. It has caused an outrage in the community. The World Sikh Organisation for Canada has raised the issue with the authorities. The victim was new to the country and had spent only 4-5 months. He didn’t even know the language properly.
The City Councillor Mohini Singh condemned the incident and called it “totally unacceptable”. This is the second such attack on a Sikh person in Canada which raises serious questions.
