WSO Saddened by Violence at Sikh Lehar Centre

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 5, 2010) - The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is deeply saddened by the violence that took place in Brampton, Ontario at the Sikh Lehar Centre on Friday evening. In a clash at the Centre, several individuals were injured after a demonstration against controversial preacher Prof. Darshan Singh turned violent.

WSO Ontario Vice President Ranjit Singh Dulay said, "Violence of this kind is absolutely unacceptable. We may have differences of opinion and we have the right to express those differences but violence cannot be tolerated in any event."

WSO Senior Policy Advisor Gian Singh Sandhu said, "Violence is not the Canadian way to express grievances. Differences of opinion must be peacefully expressed. The Sikh community cannot and does not condone these types of incidents."

WSO calls upon the Sikh community and police authorities to ensure that such incidents are not allowed to be repeated and steps are taken to quickly defuse the situation.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status.