9 October, 2024

Blog

Biden’s Strike Solidarity & Trudeau’s Bombshell On India  

By Rajan Philips

Rajan Philips

As world leaders flew from one gathering (G20 summit in New Delhi) to another (UN General Assembly in New York), two side developments made headlines in the news media. Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau dropped a bombshell in a statement to parliament on September 19, that there were “credible allegations of a potential link” between Indian government agents and the killing of 45 year old Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, near Vancouver.  

Mr. Nijjar was born in India and fled to Canada in 1995 as a teenage refugee allegedly to escape a government crackdown on Sikh activists in Punjab. He worked as a plumber and was a community leader. In 2019 he became the leader of the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey, Vancouver. He advocated Sikh separatism through non-violent means and was one of the organizers of the Khalistan Referendum campaign. He was killed by masked gunmen outside the Guru Nanak Temple.  

The Indian government rejected Trudeau’s allegation as absurd and accused the Canadian government of not heeding India’s concerns over Sikh separatist activities in Canada. There have also been questions about Mr. Trudeau’s decision to make an open statement when he was not in a position share detailed information in public. Apparently, he was forced to go public with his allegation to pre-empt media outlets that were set to publish the story based on their own investigations. It is also known that Mr. Trudeau raised this matter with Prime Minister Modi during the G 20 Summit in New Delhi and asked for the Indian Government’s co-operation in investigating the killing. 

The other headline news was about US President Joe Biden joining the striking auto-workers on their picket line in Detroit, Michigan. That is quite historic, not only for an American President but also for a head of state anywhere, including China. On Tuesday, September 26, President Joe Biden did something that no US President before him has done or would have thought of doing. He may have also set a precedent that future presidents will likely be forced to follow. 

Biden and Trump

Biden flew from Washington to Detroit and joined the striking United Auto Workers (UAW) union members who were on a picket line outside a General Motors’ Redistribution Centre in Wayne County, Michigan. Donning a UAW blue hat, the President mounted a wooden platform and used a bull horn to tell the workers, “You deserve what you’ve earned, and you’ve earned a hell of a lot more than you’re getting paid now. Then his middle class theme: “The unions built the middle class. That’s a fact. Let’s keep going.”

A core issue in the current labour dispute in the auto industry is the government mandated shift from gasoline-driven cars to electric vehicles (EVs). The shift is a key part of Biden’s signature legislative achievement, the euphemistically named Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes specific measures for combating climate change. The Biden Plan goal is to make half of all new vehicles sold in America to be zero-emissions vehicles by 2030. That means greater production of EVs by auto makers, along with government commitment to providing federal funding and tax incentives, and installing 500,000 chargers to make EVs accessible nationwide. More so in rural America, the bastion of the political right, where 20% of Americans live and account for 70% of road miles of national travel. Just like the political lopsidedness. Now to the strike dynamic. 

America’s big three in automakers (GM, Ford and  Stellantis, which owns Chrysler) are laggers in EV manufacturing. They lag behind Tesla, BYD Auto and the Volkswagen Group, the three global leaders, by quite a distance. As they plan to repurpose their production base to increase EV production, the big three face competition from foreign automakers who are also eligible for the IRA tax incentives so long as their factories are in the US, Canada or Mexico. Some of them, mostly Japanese firms, already have their bases in one or more of the three free-trade countries. Also, unlike the big three, the foreign firms and the EV manufacturers like Tesla do not have unionised workers. 

The top three are insistent that they cannot afford to pay the current union demands for wage increases and benefits, given the level of investments required for transitioning to EV; nor can they be competitive with automakers without unionised workforce. On the other hand, the union claims are based on the sacrifices workers made during the 2007-2008 financial crisis in order to keep the automakers solvent and in business. 

The workers now want restoration of overtime work and retirement benefits, ending of wage differences between contract and permanent workers, as well as protection against potential labour retrenchment as part of EV production. The huge profits that the auto companies made during the Covid pandemic and the inflated salaries and bonuses that flowed to company CEOs, are not lost on the unions and the workers. Nor are they unaware of the huge financial support and tax benefits the US government is giving the automakers to switch from gasoline to electric vehicles.  

In the backdrop to the labour dispute, there are both political interests as well as technological implications. On the latter, industry observers are opining that the transition from gasoline to electric vehicles involves “the biggest technological transformation since Henry Ford’s moving assembly line started up at the beginning of the 20th century.” And the workers and their unions are determined not to get shortchanged a second time as they were at the last technological changeover, not to mention the start of the industrial revolution itself. However, there is a major difference between the age of Ford and the present time, and it is that the economy now is highly diversified and is not ‘overdetermined’ by a single industry. 

And then there is politics, with the presidential election coming up next year. Regardless of the Republican primary clown show and Democratic party doubters, President Biden and Donald Trump would seem to have decided that they are the de facto candidates and that it is time to start the real campaign. After President Biden’s visit to the picket line of striking union workers, Donald Trump visited Drake Enterprises, a non-union auto parts supplier in Clint Township, Michigan. Trump’s pitch is of course diametrically the opposite. He wants union workers to peel away from their leaders and vote for him because he will save their jobs by removing the requirement for shifting from gasoline to electric vehicles. 

The trouble with that reactionary approach is that Mr. Trump will not find any takers for it from any of the main automakers. But Trump being Trump, he is not interested in the fallout for the auto industry or the American economy, let alone climate change. He is only interested in using any slogan to win back the workers who voted for him in 2016 in the three battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Trump won all three of them in 2016 and lost them all to Biden in 2020. And Joe Biden will do everything to keep those states on his side of the tally. Including, joining a picket line.    

Canada stuck between China and India

From the auto industry and presidential politics in the US, it is quite a stretch to comment on the recent spat between Canada and India over Sikhs and their politics in the two countries. But in the ‘globalized world’, everything is interconnected, hierarchically and horizontally. The new global order has been conceptualized in terms of a new contradiction between a new global Empire (of superpowers – past, present and wannabe) and the growing global Multitude, the masses. 

One of the empirical processes driving the global multitude is the movement of people across nation-state boundaries. In this process, China and India are giant exporters of the multitude and Canada is literally caught up between them as one of the main recipients of global migrants. And the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that has more immigrant ministers than any other government in the world has become the object of derision and vilification both by India and China, as well as its domestic detractors.   

Spat over Sikhs Historic Handshake – 1973

For the greater part of this year the Trudeau government has been facing relentless criticism from opposition parties and the media for its alleged failure to deal with Chinese interference in Canadian elections and intimidations of Chinese Canadians who are opposed to the Chinese government and its representatives in Hong Kong. The criticisms became personal and right wing attacks targeted the Trudeau family as having a soft spot for China, even harking back to then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s historic 1973 visit to China as a breakout leader from the western world. 

The critics conveniently forgot that for nearly three years (December 1, 2018, to September 4, 2021) the Trudeau government was delicately pre-occupied with getting the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig (the two Michaels), two Canadian citizens who were arbitrarily jailed in China, in retaliation to the detention of Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of the founder of the Chinese tech giant Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer. Her detention, while traveling through Canada, was in response to a US extradition request for allegedly violating US sanctions against Iran. All three were finally released following a tripartite understanding between the US, China and Canada. 

There was a chorus of calls for an independent public inquiry into Chinese interference. After months of back and forth, the government and the opposition have agreed on the launching of a Public Inquiry into “Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions.” The inquiry will be led by an Appeal Court Judge from the Province of Quebec, and will cover not only China but also Russia and other countries with alleged interferences.   

Just when the hullabaloo over Chinese interference seemed to be quietening down, Prime Minister Trudeau dropped his  bombshell implicating Indian government agents in the killing of Sikh activist in Canada. Prior to that, Canadian intelligence and security officials have visited India multiple times for discussions with their Indian counterparts. The intelligence premise for Canada’s allegations came through the interception of communications between New Delhi and the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, reportedly by the old Five Eyes (comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US) intelligence network. Canada’s concerns were and are shared by its traditional allies. It is also reported that in the face-to-face meetings between Canadian and Indian officials, Canada’s allegations were not formally denied, in contrast to the vigorous rejections in India’s public statements.    

After his explosive statement in Parliament, Prime Minister Trudeau has appeared to be trying to calm diplomatic waters by insisting that Canada is “not looking to provoke or escalate.” He has gone on to say, “We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them and we want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes.” Further, “India and the government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness.” Similar diplomatic overtures are said to have emanated from the Indian side. After the initial furor, there seems to  realization on both sides to let quiet diplomacy take its course. 

The undiplomatic new element in the Sikh question is the Modi factor. After the 1980s flareups, political Sikhism and the enthusiasm for Khalistan have virtually disappeared in Punjab in India, where Sikhs constitute over 50% of the State population while accounting for less than 2% of India’s total population. There were vocal elements in the Sikh Diaspora, especially in Canada that has the largest Sikh population outside India (even though non-Sikh Indian Canadians outnumber the Sikhs by roughly 60% to 40%), but they were generally in a minority. 

The current revival of Sikhism in the diaspora is generally attributed to the arrival of Narendra Modi as the new BJP Prime Minister in 2014, after a string of moderate BJP predecessors. The Congress Prime Minster for two terms before Modi was Manmohan Singh, a prominent Sikh Indian and a highly respected and non-controversial political leader. The Modi government’s crackdown on minorities in India is alleged to be resulting in large numbers of them leaving India for western countries. The activists among them allege that they are targeted for monitoring by Indian government agents. That is a different dimension to the current spat between Canada and India. 

Latest comments

  • 7
    16

    Canadian PM Trudeau spoke of “credible allegations of a potential link” between Indian government agents and the killing of 45 year old Hardeep Singh Nijjar, near Vancouver, Canada.
    ‘The Indian government rejected Trudeau’s allegation as absurd’.
    “We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them and we want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes.” – Trudeau.
    I see a misadventure on the part of the Canadian PM.
    The ‘proper’ process was breached when the PM went public.

    • 5
      8

      N
      You have a point about bad protocol.
      Did anyone talk of what happened not long ago when he tried his nonsense with President Xi.

      • 7
        3

        Nathan
        SJ
        Absolutely not. Canadian citizens have every right to know the truth. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who raised the Khalistan matter at his meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of G20, and made it public. Indian media reported that Mr. Modi angrily rebuked Mr. Trudeau on the Khalistan issue. Upon his return to Canada, Mr. Trudeau made a statement in Parliament about the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Najjar in Canada. What’s wrong with that? He didn’t even directly accuse India for the killing. He said that “Ottawa had CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS” linking Indian government agents to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
        Contd’….

        • 7
          2

          A vociferous former Indian Diplomut, who is a disgrace to even the word diplomacy, seemed to have a hard time in understanding the meaning of the term ‘credible allegations’. It means that there are reasonable grounds to believe that allegations are true, and, therefore it warrants further investigation. If India has nothing to do with the murder, they should have offered to cooperate with Canadian investigators to find out the truth.
          Anyway, I don’t think India’s reaction has anything to do with the Canadian Prime Minister’s statement on the murder of Najjar. India’s spat is more likely due to Canada’s surprise announcement on September 1, that India-Canada trade talks (CEPA) were suspended indefinitely. Anyway, CEPA talks first started in 2010 with the Stephen Harper government and are still on-going even after 13 years, which says something.

          • 8
            2

            Champa, this time , I gave you thumbs up. From what I know, Canada had taken up this matter many months ago, at FM staff level discussions / meetings.. The Canadian intelligence even made two visits to India to discuss with their counterpart. But to their frustrations, no progress was made from the Indian side. Hence took up the matter directly with Modi, just like Cameroon handled Lanka govt for the murder of British citizen. I have a question. If it was Lanka will they act any different from their neighbor ????

            • 7
              0

              chiv

              “Hence took up the matter directly with Modi, just like Cameroon handled Lanka govt for the murder of British citizen. “

              However, Cameroon has been appointed as the promoter/salesman/estate agent/……. for Port City. Therefore post retirement benefits has some impact on pre-retirement decisions. In other words we should not trust when big boys make statements on justice, …………… poverty, corruption, nepotism, law, …….

              Please ignore SJ.

              • 5
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                Native , true I too was perplexed. But I do admire many of them keeping politics and personal life apart. Whereas in Laka it’s all personal with no politics.

              • 1
                5

                “However, Cameroon has been appointed “
                What has West Africa to do with all this?

                • 7
                  0

                  If you aren’t sleepy go read your Red Book.

                  • 1
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                    You seem not to know where Cameroon is?
                    Read a map during a spell of sanity.

                • 1
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                  S.J.
                  .
                  I had a good colleague from Cameroon. He is now a professor of medical pharmacy. I was supposed to visit their country, but I missed the chance.
                  :
                  Chiv refered the brutal murder of British citizen in Tangalle by Rajapaksa’s henchman (PS leader who is now in jail) and how then Premier “David Cameron” handled it.
                  If Prince Charles had not involved in that investigation, victimized parties could not have been served with Justice.

            • 7
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              Chiv
              “If it was Lanka will they act any different from their neighbor ????”
              I think you know that commission after commission would be appointed to look into the matter until it’s forgotten.

            • 3
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              Chiv
              You say,
              “Canada had taken up this matter many months ago, at FM staff level discussions / meetings.. The Canadian intelligence even made two visits to India to discuss with their counterpart. But to their frustrations, no progress was made from the Indian side.” Thank you for this VITAL information. It means that Canada has shared evidence of the Indian involvement in the murder of Nijjar months before the Canadian Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament. All this time India pretended as if they heard about it for the first time. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar has been misleading the world, too. When a reporter asked Jaishankar if India received any documents from Canada to support its claim, he said “If I had, would I not be looking into it?” without giving a direct answer “yes or no”.
              This is the video uploaded by Hindustan Times.
              https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_kWuVeMcl2w&pp=ygU7aGluZHVzdGFuIHRpbWVzIGEgcmVwb3J0ZXIgYXNrZWQgSmFpc2hhbmthciBvbiBjYW5hZGEgY2xhaW0%3D

              • 4
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                Champa, all what you say is correct. Except that , Canada orally submitted their concerns and did not provide any documentary evidence. I’m told that is normal in diplomatic handling where counterparts are approached for discussion and not accused right away. Also no country will expose their intelligence source and methods of gathering information .

                • 1
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                  Champa, according to Canadian Public Safety Office and Minister Dominc LeBlanc, David Vigneault , director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Trudeau’s national security advisor Jody Thomas had recently visited India several times to discuss the assassination. As of today, India has not rejected this claim. Apparently they were frustrated by the lack of response from Indian counterpart.

          • 5
            0

            Dear Readers,
            .
            What happens in the Canadian Parliament?
            .
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XyN2aWgP-I

            They praised an old Ukrainian war hero in their parliament.
            .
            . Then this old man is proven to be a NAZi supporter. Why on earth the government could not check before doing that.
            :
            They don’t seem to check history before presenting anything to the public.
            :
            Then the apology goes again and again… What a destructive level a country has fallen to.Not even Tahitians or Somalians would act like that.

            • 6
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              LM , be fair one of the Law maker ( think , speaker of the parliament, not sure) resigned taking responsibility for inviting such controversial figure.

              • 2
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                Thanks Chiv,
                .
                then Canadians are a civilized than srilankens. They are not the worst compared to sinhala-led govts
                :
                Remember Rajapakshe dogs let murder victims in parliament at the begining of GOTA s tenure ? What crime did not RAJAPAKSHE dogs do during the last 5 years ?

          • 3
            0

            Champa

            “It means that there are reasonable grounds to believe that allegations are true, and, therefore it warrants further investigation.”

            It was like WMD not found in Iraq?
            What does the west want from Hindia?
            Does the west want Hindia to stop grabbing land in the moon?
            Does the west want Hindia to stop buying oil from China?
            Does the west want Hindia to fight a war with SJ’s China?
            Does the west want Hindia to buy armament from west and west only?
            ….

            ..
            Does the west want Hindia to stop helping Sri Lanka’s development so that Sri Lanka will be permanently dependent on other countries, the west and want the islanders to be grateful for its grumps, … continues to politically prostitute, ….?

          • 2
            0

            Champa


            “A vociferous former Indian Diplomut, who is a disgrace to even the word diplomacy, seemed to have a hard time in understanding the meaning of the term ‘credible allegations’. “

            Is it because the DIPLOMAT happens to be a Tamil, married to a Japanese, elected to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat state, and has a rounded experience as a successful diplomat, …..?

  • 8
    3

    We are not going anywhere with Ranil …… Ranil is 75 years old, has no children: doesn’t care what happens to the country or the people after he kicks the bucket soon. All he wants to do is, hog the presidency for him and his buddies to have some free rides at the peoples expense. He’s no economic-wizard. He knows only to borrow from the IMF on their dictates …….. and to sell off profit making assets and parts of the country piece by piece. He is an unbelievably selfish prick.

    I don’t believe any Lankan can save us ……. if at all, Lanka will be saved by fortunate accident/coincidence but we desperately need a change to break the SLFP/UNP cycle of the crooks …… deeply entrenched corruption of many decades …… at this stage JVP looks like the only alternative that’s there to put a spoke in the wheel of Ranil’s devilish mechanizations …….

    Can any of you Ranil supporters/backers be objective and prove what AKD is saying here is false? Thanks. ……….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf0EqvnunKk

    • 5
      0

      diabolical machinations —–> devilish mechanizations

      Gotta get that in …… before the English master recovers his eyesight …….

      • 2
        0

        He must be walking around like Cyclopes in Bandarawela ……. in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is ……. Master.

    • 8
      0

      nimal fernando


      “….. doesn’t care what happens to the country or the people after he kicks the bucket soon.”

      However he has a development plan for the next 25 year, up to 2048.
      If he is going to kick the bucket it would only happen after 2058.
      He is determined to live that long.

      SJ’s old flame lived util she was 84.
      JR lived 90 years
      Mahinda is 77 years old he still wants to serve his family.

      Why not Ranil?

  • 5
    6

    No country has the right to kill another country’s citizen on other’s own soil which amounts to an interference in the sovereignty of another country. Even if a fugitive has committed a crime in a country, he cannot be extradited if the crime is politically motivated. When Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the murder, India denied his allegation. Though the allegation of Trudeau on Nijjar’s murder has created a rift between India and Canada, the Sikhs and the Hindus are united and living in a friendly manner. In response to Trudeau’s allegations, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar has categorically denied Trudeau’s allegations and challenged him to prove with evidence. Apparently there are reported news items that Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) was the mastermind behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Is there any guarantee that the ISI will not execute Nijjar in order to create a division between India and Canada. India’s foreign policy is based on Sanatana Dharma, which discourages to create division between two people or between two countries and even if others blame, India ignores it and continues to deal with it relentlessly. This is the glory of Sanatana Dharma. Pakistan’s character is to destabilize the relationship India has with any country through unlawful means.

    • 5
      3

      Here comes the alibi:’
      “Apparently there are reported news items that Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) was the mastermind behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. “
      Well done Mr Superdetective.

  • 7
    6

    Contd ………………/
    Trudeau could have shared his allegation with Five Eyes Intelligence which will have the tendency to look out for their own interests. Yet other countries also have their own intelligence. Israel. Japan, Russia, India and Pakistan have their own intelligence agencies. However, There are some exceptions in violating one’s sovereignty, when targeting a fugitive in another country. For instance, Israel abducted Adolf Eichmann, who had executed hundreds of thousands of Jews, without Argentina’s permission. Similarly, Israel rescued all its passengers from Entebbe Airport and entered Uganda without its permission. Also, the US entered Pakistan without its permission and shot bin Laden dead. What is important about this issue is that the above incidents show that if a country perceives an imminent danger to its Territorial Integrity, the killing of a fugitive criminal can be justified. We hope that Canada and India will have a peaceful situation soon. Can we call someone who commits serious crimes as a spiritual leader? A spiritual leader should be able to show love and mercy at any time. Emotional talks should never come up at any time. Now Sikhs all over the world are in confusion when VISA is denied to enter India. All the Sikhs cannot be treated as terrorists. Now what will happen if their properties are confiscated in India. It won’t be a surprise that these same Sikhs will one day turn against Canada. Trudeau should have condemned the unruly actions of the Sikhs at the early stage. There can be independence, but it must not affect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other countries.

    • 10
      1

      AR,

      Please see the link links I provided to see the true face of the BJP. Sanatana Dharma and Satymeva Jayate? What a joke.

      • 4
        3

        Agnos
        Sanathana dharma upholds the Varna system.
        The other is only a Gandhian slogan ‘Truth will triumph’.
        The first is a statement of BJP ideology.
        The use of the second is pure cynicism.

        • 3
          2

          Agnos & SJ,
          Sanatana Dharma s a very deep subject. It was in existence for thousands of years. Is it right for me to present an article about Sanatana Dharma so that everyone can clear all their doubts and will have a clear idea.

          • 1
            0

            Oh yes. SD is so deep in caste based bigotry.
            It tells us what people of any given birth should do.
            It is all right if you get a clear idea of what it has been all about all along.
            Read Ambedkar a little before you think of writing.

      • 4
        3

        Agnos,
        Truth is imperishable. That is the truth. A firm mind is all that is required. This is what Modi is achieving. This is the foundation of Sanatana Dharma. Remember India is a country with 22 official lanaguages and also people speaking with more 600 tribal languages and also a country with the largest population in the world and practicing with many cultures and embracing all faiths. It is easier to level unwanted charges. BJP has to look into every citizen without discrimination. The appointment of Murmu Droupathi as President of the Republic of India is a fine example. No country can achieve this task.

        • 0
          8

          AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM
          “Sanathan Dahama (Dharma)” is a Sinhala word. How do you say it in Hindi? Stop using our words as if they are yours. It is the British settler colonists who incorrectly label Sinhala Sloka as an unknown Sankrit and attributed them to India.

          • 0
            5

            It should be Sanathana (letter ‘a’ was missing).

          • 7
            0

            Champa,
            You say, ‘Sanathan Dahama’ is a Sinhalese word!!!??? May be!? Absolutely NO disputes on that and let’s agree until otherwise proved it’s so!!!?
            AR is referring to “SANATANA DHARMA”, which is a word meaning ‘ETERNAL TRUTH’ and ‘Teachings of HINDUISM’ for past 1000’s of years, which is a way of life based on cosmic order and duty!!!??? Sanskrit origin!!
            “The natural and eternal way to live.”
            “SANATANA DHARMA” is widely considered to be the original term used to describe what we now know as HINDUISM!
            Sinhalese aren’t Hindus, but mostly Buddhists and some are Christians!!?? Christianity does not believe in rebirth and cosmic order!!?? So that’s alien. to Sinhalese!!??
            How and when would that word been coined!!!??? Like Aruwakkalu, becoming ‘Aruwakkaluwa’ and Madurankuly becoming Madurankuliya in the last 2 decades!!!??
            In any case Sinhala as an operative Language has been only for 700 to 950 years – MAX 1000 years?
            That way Hinduism was BORN 4 TIMES OVER ATLEAST!!??
            So the only reasonable derivation or inference one could draw is ‘word’ claim is SINHALA coined well after original script, describing Hinduism!!!??? None copying Sinhala word but the converse, undoubtedly proved beyond doubt!!!??? WHY COMPLAIN??? ACCEPT THE GENOROSITY!!
            QED!!!

            • 6
              0

              Mahila, I have nothing to offer on this subject. Hence decided to share a Whatsapp message, I recently received. Champa Waidyathilaka, junior manager at SL Tourism Development Authority, expressed HER joy of Judge Saravanaraja , fleeing the country following death threats. She said ” he has fled. He has sensed the fear of death after delivering controversial partisan judgments. His conscience told him, you should get ready to pay back for the consequences for attacking a nation’s innocence, a nation’s right to heritage by paving the way for lies through the law. He said he received death threats from Sarath . W MP and venerable Monks. So he has left the country like a refugee. It is reported that Saliya Peiris’s lawyers association in tears escorted him to the airport. However what he teaches us is that lies have no life. This is Sinhala Buddhist country. That is his other lesson. These are lessons for all who are staging dramas. Lessons learnt. Farewell Boss !!!” Champa Waidyathilaka. The name and writing seems very familiar to me. Hence I decided to share with you’ll. Is this Buddha Dahama ???? or is it Sanathan / Sanatana / Santana what ever it’s called Dahama ??? I’m lost.

              • 5
                0

                Chiv,
                That’s Champa Dharma, which includes the Buddha being born here and her immortal ancestors being Russians living under the North Pole.🤣🤣

                • 0
                  5

                  old codger
                  Not one Buddha, all Buddhas were born, attained Buddhahood and passed away in Sinhala Dvipa.
                  I never said my ancestors were Russians. I said they lived in the Arctic region.
                  Who is the first white man? It could be Russian.

              • 1
                0

                Chiv,
                That Champa is nutty too, but too young and pretty to be the CT Champa.

            • 5
              0

              Dear Mahila and AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM all other readers that respect facts:
              .
              This funny woman aka Champa (formerly Leela) claims to be a historian and sometimes plays like an archeologist. She does not allow others to prove anything about our Sinhalese nation. This personality is like a poisonous reptile lurking in a garbage dump.

              The Rajapaksas distorted the good values of “Sinhala Buddhism” into terms in favor of their religio-politics. That was their Mahinda Balu thinking which ruined the srilanken society.

              Please read it for your own fact-checking: Sanathan Dahama
              .https://wiki.yoga-vidya.de/Sanatana_Dharma

              . The kind of pseudo-intellectuals who misled the Rajapaksa’s from day one, do you think she will agree with the facts?

              . She may be adept at playing the role in favor of world beast Putin, but her literary knowledge of religious affairs in South Asia seems far from school knowledge.

              In addition, CHAMPA is known as a “Sinhala nationalist” who acts as the “toilet paper” of the Rajapaksa gang.

          • 9
            1

            Champa,
            Don’t show your ignorance. Sanatana Dharma is a Sanskrit word. It is not a Tamil or Sinhala word. Can you interprete the word ‘Sanatana Dharma’.

            • 0
              8

              AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM
              All Sanskrit words are Sinhala words because Sanskrit books were written using the Sinhala alphabet. And, at the end of every Sanskrit book the word “Samyakkrutha” was written, the meaning of which is “duly completed”. British writers identified those books by the name “Samyakkrutha” which was shortened as “Sanskrutha or Sanskrit”.
              Sanskrit words are not ancient words. They are a part of day-to-day Sinhalese vocabulary even to this day.
              “Sanathana” means imperishable. The word Sanathana Dharma was first mentioned in Vedas (another distortion of the word “Vidya Grantha” which means “Science books”) written by Rawanas.

              • 8
                0

                “Sanskrit books were written using the Sinhala alphabet”
                So, was Sinhala the mother of Sanskrit?
                Champa, that should interest many a linguist.

                • 0
                  5

                  SJ
                  Sanskrit or Sanskrutha is not a language. It is a writing system called “Sloka”. Pali is also a writing system called “Gaatha”. That is why Sanskrit and Pali do not have an alphabet. The language used in Sanskrit and Pali writings is Sinhala.
                  In 1845, British writer, W. Knighton who translated ancient “Celoynese literature” has mentioned that the Sinhalese have used three writing systems, as follows.
                  1. The scientific works of the Sinhalese were in Sanskrit.
                  2. Their religious writings were in Pali or Magadhi.
                  3. Their poetry was in Elu.

                  • 4
                    0

                    If sinhala was that mighty, why on earth they waited to translate ” Mahawansa” using the one German 🤔 who translated it first from Pali?
                    .
                    There should be a limit to spread lies, but Champa breaks all records, get well soon 😊

                  • 1
                    0

                    “Sanskrit or Sanskrutha is not a language.”
                    That is interesting. I must tell my Iyer friend that his lot have been chanting some mambo jumbo for how long I do not know.
                    *
                    I wonder why the placards that people carry on the streets do not have the Sloka script for their slogans!
                    *
                    You are about as amusing as the Three Tamil Musketeers who have amusing theories about language.

                  • 3
                    0

                    “In 1845, British writer, W. Knighton who translated ancient “Celoynese literature” has mentioned that the Sinhalese have used three writing systems, as follows.”
                    The only Knighton known to have written anything on Ceylon died in 1836.

                  • 1
                    0

                    Champa

                    Whats the matter with you?

              • 3
                0

                Champa,
                Can you give me a link to these “Science books” written by Rawanas.”?
                I want to fly to Italy by Dandumonara.
                “They are a part of day-to-day Sinhalese vocabulary even to this day.”
                I was in Portugal recently and hound that they could understand many Sinhala words. Do you think the ancient Sinhalese went there too? How embarrassing if the Buddha was Portuguese…..

                • 0
                  2

                  Simple. Go to Colombo museum. It has over 5,000 Sinhalese palm leaf manuscripts. Then go to museums in Britain for original Rawana books. There are other places in Sri Lanka. But I don’t want to name them. Rajakeeya Panditha Shastrapathi Venerable Puliadde Sudhamma Thero, who tried to build a Rawana museum, was assassinated under the guise of fake Covid-19 positive results. For thousands of years, our Sinhalese Buddhist monks have given their lives to protect our Sinhalese heritage.
                  .
                  The British have tried to find Gothama Buddha’s birthplace in Sinhala Dvipa. They have looked for a place called “Nambambaraya”. But they said that the Sinhalese didn’t help them. What may have happened was, they may have found a book where it says Lord Buddha was born in “බඹරයනම්ගමෙහි” (a village called Bambaraya) and thought the name of the village was “Nambambaraya”. Anyway, they have visited one village and said that all in that village were liars and the village women excelled in many sciences (undefined). Nobody was able to find the exact birthplace of Lord Buddha as yet. It is protected. I found a little clue where it could be. In one of the RASJournal Ceylon Branch, there is a mention of “Ceylon Sakya vansha”.

                  • 5
                    0

                    Champa,
                    “Go to Colombo museum. It has over 5,000 Sinhalese palm leaf manuscripts. “
                    Yes, but are they written in Portuguese script? Why are you avoiding the question?

                  • 2
                    0

                    Champa

                    Whats the matter with you?

                  • 1
                    0

                    Champa

                    “In one of the RASJournal Ceylon Branch, there is a mention of “Ceylon Sakya vansha”.

                    I have access to almost all the journals published by Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (After 1972 Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka)
                    Can you give us the year, volume number, author, title, … of the above article?

                  • 1
                    0

                    Champa,
                    Why don’t you seem to see that we Sinhalese are the most powerful nation on this earth?

                    even if not a single person is yet found in noble prize winner list ?

                    You will lie that Sinhala is the oldest language. You will further say that Buddha was born in Sri Lanka and that everything said in the literature is false.
                    Moreover, you will claim that we Sinhalese are the pioneers of science and medicine, that our colonial masters stole our knowledge and acted as if they were the inventors of modern medicine and science.
                    Your brother Nalin de Silva (extreme Sinhala racists) also claimed it. They have been so entangled with these lies that they never allow others to spread the truth.
                    .
                    My grandmother once said, “An ant always sees its own urine as the largest reservoir it has ever found”: Likewise, how many more years will it take “your kind of stupid sinhalayas” to see things with facts?????

                    Once they grasp it, the day and age of the new dawn will flourish.
                    .
                    How long will you, like deluded men and women, enjoy the overestimation? When will our people finally be freed from the myths they have created for themselves? It will be the day of the new era for our people.

                    Get well soon !

                • 3
                  2

                  OC
                  The Portuguese are a very modest people and make no claims to greatness.
                  They ruled this island since some 2600 years ago and lost interest when life across the Atlantic got more interesting.
                  The Tamils and Sinhalese were their illiterate illegitimate descendants who picked up some primitive Indian languages with many borrowings from Portuguese.
                  There is a section of the Lisbon Archives that has the relevant records. But it denies access to anyone claiming to be a historian.
                  You should visit it soon some day and take Champa with you.
                  Be careful. Not a word about C being a historian of sorts.

            • 4
              0

              AR,
              .
              Please don’t waste your time anymore. I have added it above. The so-called pseudo-intellectuals do not seem to allow people to improve in their awareness. They will never allow ordinary thinkers to turn to an ideology based on facts.

              • 2
                0

                leelagemalli,
                Thank you very much.

              • 6
                0

                leelagemalli,
                Canada is home to nearly 1.4 million people of Indian ethnic or cultural origin, making up about 3.7% of the nation’s total population. Over 770,000 individuals identify their religion as Sikhism, accounting for roughly 2% of Canada’s inhabitants. As it is, there is a reported news item that India wants 41 Canadian diplomats from India to be removed. We do not know where it will end up. I have a strong feeling that Pakistan’s ISI is indirectly involved in this unplesant incident. There is suspicion that Pakistan’s ISI appears to be funding Khalistan’s extremists. Even there is suspicion over the killing of Khalistan’s leader because they have fired 50 times which means it would have taken some time within which period there is a possibility of blocking the killers from escaping. Majority of the Sikhs & Hindus in Canada are living in an atmosphere of friendship. Only a few are creating problems. We only hope that Canada and India settle this issue in an amicable manner.

              • 3
                0

                leelagemalli,
                It is a great relief that Canada believes that it is best for diplomatic talks to take place in person instead of blaming India for causing the strain on the relationship between the two countries. If the two sides had held negotiations on a diplomatic basis without openly blaming an ally, there would have been no harm in the relationship between the two countries. Canada has gained wisdom over time and hope both countries will restore back and improve their old relationships. Still I have my doubts that this unfortunate incident had been orchestrated by a third for to create tension between Canada and India. What is required is to find the links that the Sikh extremist had with other notorious elements in dealing with illegal drug and human trafficking.

          • 1
            0

            Champa,
            .
            I would like to know if your main food is grass?

            I have no doubt that you should eat grass three times a day, otherwise you the like learned women, should not have such thoughts.
            :
            Can I confirm that please? I dont think I insult natural grass eaters.
            .
            many thanks,

        • 2
          1

          Adolf Hitler had a firmer mind that Modi.

  • 9
    5

    The author of this article has swallowed most of the truth. When the murder of a Canadian Citizen happened on Canadian soil it was the duty of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and not the Secret Service to investigate. Unlike India, Canada is a land of Law and Order. When the RCMP, which acts independently from the Government of Canada started its investigation, information came from more than one Five Eyes (one member is India obviously would not have provided any intelligence) and later the USA confirmed that it shared information of the murder by India.

    A G7 country head will never tell a lie in public if he does not have actual proof of the incident, least of all the PM of Canada who will face an election in less than 2 years. The Canadian investigators visited India 3 times and were in discussions with the Secret Service in India. In addition, Justin Trudeau personally handed over his detailed evidence to Modi and asked for India’s help in investigating the murder. As we all know who Modi is! A person who killed Muslims in Gujarat.
    Modi without investigating quietly antagonized Justin by treating him like a Pariah at the last G20 meeting. This act clearly showed what an uncivilized person Modi has become.

    • 3
      4

      Buddhist1,
      ‘This act clearly showed what an uncivilized person Modi has become’.
      Does that means that Modi who WAS not an ‘uncivilized person’, turned uncivilized!

    • 10
      1

      Buddhist 1: “Canada is a land of Law and Order”. That’s what you say.

      But our Minister of Foreign Affairs – the “Learned Lawyer” Mr. Ali Sabry says: “Canada is a Safe Haven for Terrorists”.

      What have you got to tell me? Is Canada a “Land of Law and Order of Terrorists”?

      Don’t forget that “OUR” Minister of Foreign Affairs is a much more “LEARNED” person than your PM.

      • 9
        2

        Dear Douglas,
        this is all about the country you lived and enjoyed your times some years ago. Then you could say something valauble about that society. Law and order is said to be not the same as in Europe in Canada with MEDIA men being attacked in public, i mean since Trudeu became their leader since 2015.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O30ufWni5UU

        Canada and India rift makes it very clear young political leaders and their abuse of mouth for not having studied it properly.

        Analyists say, that Justin Truedeu (51 years) has ruined long term achievement in that country from 2015. People are very aggressive in that country than anywhere else, however, people dont respect law and order. Drug consum has gone up drastically etc with allow drug free with laws. Some even says, there is no developed country leader that fell to the level of Trudeu for his bad mouth. The man is obvious not consistent about his public statements. 12 days ago, he was attacking indian govt for the murder of that sikh leader in Canada, but a few day behind that public statement, Trudeu to correct his wrong statement by ivisting india for that matter is beyond matuarity levels of state leaders.

        • 6
          5

          Dear LM: I cannot understand why you gave me that link – a documentary on “Free Masons”?

          Well, someone from Canada would answer you about the “Law and Order” of that country.

          As far as I am interested, a Leader of a country is DUTY BOUND to explain when one of its citizens is gunned down. As “Buddhis 1” explained the country’s Law Enforcement Agencies would have provided information for that PM to make that statement and further I don’t think that would not have escalated to the extent of “Send Back Home” of Diplomats if the information was not that “CREDIBLE”.

          So just don’t rush to wear the shoes of our Minister of External Affairs – Ali Sabry.

          • 7
            0

            Hello D,
            I apologize for my mistake. Unfortunately, It was slipped before I rechecked.
            :
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt2AuVQKpq0

            Please get the one I was thinking to add to my previous Email.

            Btw, do you really think Trudeu’s actions are wise?

            Young leaders generally do not care much about anything they say to the public. It is also seen in Austria (a boarder country of Deutschland), where the EU Covid crisis broke out. Although they are good at other developments in Kiwi land. BREXIT in retrospect was a bigger mistake than the average brites` POV.

            Thanks to Truedeu’s foolish politics, marginalization is seen in that society today. I thought you lived in that country long enough to make a credible comparison. Sorry if I’m wrong.

        • 4
          4

          Thank you, LM.
          .
          I watched the entire 53 minute documentary, and enjoyed it, having been a Freemason for seven years myself. I could rejoin if I wanted to; I’m what is referred to as an “ex-Freemason in good standing”.
          .
          But how many will see this? You appear to have put it on by mistake, instead of something on Canada that you had in mind. I’m not supposed to talk too much about freemasonry, but I can assert that there is nothing sinister about it.
          .
          However, it is struggling here. The ritual used here, and in India, is in highly evocative English. Once brought up on it, people are loath to give it up. So now it is the preserve of a few old people, and a few younger guys who think it prestigious. A pity, but that’s how it is.
          .
          I hope that a few people who see my comment will make inquiries (if you don’t know where to go, the Victoria Masonic Temple in Colombo 2 (almost Galle Face) is where you can start.
          ,
          Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111444V)

          • 6
            0

            Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111444V),
            .
            I corrected my mistake. Thank you.
            .
            Freemasonry is a negative for some, even if you don’t know it. Some thought they were spies for some. However, handled by AKDISM, I would be happy to read any positive comments from you.

            It’s a rare opportunity for us in CT. We are often tired of your comments.

            Whenever we are forced to read from you, all these months, only videos links to AKD or other gossip like your ” your eyesight recovery” or “how good your relatives are”. How often do you travel to Maharagama or other places etc.
            I wish the seniors of this TORN nation could think about their behavior before becoming “satyagurus” to sick Sri Lankans.

            tbc

          • 8
            1

            ” I’m not supposed to talk too much about freemasonry, but I can assert that there is nothing sinister about it.”
            *
            https://www.history.com/news/freemasons-facts-symbols-handshake-meaning (7 Things You May Not Know About Freemasons) does not suggest that it is all innocence in that once undeclared secret society.

            • 4
              1

              Thank you SJ.
              OC, SJ, NV and all others can teach former Freemason aka SM. I am so sick of reading his stupid comments.

              He’s being NAIVE as usual, I don’t know what he’s up to. This is what I have repeatedly said about him.

              He doesn’t care much when questioned but tries to dodge as usual.

              Talks big but doesn’t come across creatively and coherently on any topic. I really don’t know what he got into.

              May our sinhala man/NIC hunter be blessed with brains !

      • 4
        0

        Those who are interested in the background of sieks in Canada, please watch the video below. Indians are influencing everywhere to the same manner chinese influence in africa and asia.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdtyKdY_xcM

        Many dont seem to know the facts about the ground realities of Kalastanism established in Canada. This is not different from some european country’s politics that rely on migrants for their own election.
        This is like cancer infiltrated to western countries today.
        Trudeau has once said, that he has lot more Siek parliamentarians in his parliaments than that of MODI’s in India.

    • 5
      6

      “A G7 country head will never tell a lie in public “
      Of course, like who blasted the Nordstream pipelines!
      Can we go back to WMD in Iraq?

  • 9
    0

    RP, et al.,

    There were two deeply reported pieces in the WP last week that shed light on how the BJP is involved in disinformation, censorship, etc. It is the ruling party’s real face.

    See these links ( no subscription required).
    https://wapo.st/3PXlRZ3
    https://wapo.st/3EZpMOS

    • 10
      0

      It is not just the BJP.
      The Indian counter terror network and other arms of the state have an existence of their own, like the CIA for example.
      It is the system, regardless of the face that the state wears.

      • 7
        0

        SJ, is right on that .

  • 1
    0

    Indian government and the killing of a Canadian citizen designated as a terrorist by India.
    Canada had to share with India & and consider any information as the death had happened in Canada they have to be responsible for that instead of working together Why was that diplomat expelled besides uncompromising and building-a-wall-like action was taken by India? What about those Indians living in Canada whatever the shooting background India should face without angry action. The death has to be investigated by Canada. Nothing matters but the facts. Without them, the science of criminal investigation is nothing more than a guessing game

  • 4
    2

    “Trudeau family as having a soft spot for China”
    We have rather short memories it seems.
    I suppose that the arrest and prolonged detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was kind of lovers’ quarrel between China and Canada.
    Perhaps Canadian sanctions against China since 2021 are practical jokes.
    You may have not have heard of President Xi telling off Prime Minister Trudeau in public during the G20 meeting last November. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7hZhncuAF4)
    Some gentle advice from a family elder?
    Trudeau has screwed up Sino-Canadian relations. That was OK by Canada’s master on its south.
    But entanglement with India? Not so easy!

  • 3
    1

    modi has joined putin. If you are his enemy then you won’t be safe just because you are in another country. Why does modi not have a referendum in punjab to see whether te sikhs want toseccede or not.He claims that the sihks in punjab don’t want khalistan,only those abroad want it.If so if his referendum proves him right then the wind will be knocked out of the sails of the overseas seperatists completely.See how the westerners do this in a civilised way in scotland,canada by referendums.

    • 2
      0

      Re: Biden and Trump
      Donald Trump’s political agenda includes revoking some of the policies introduced by Mr. Biden, such as racial and gender equity programmes and climate law funding. He also bragged about ending the Ukraine war within 24 hours which is heavily funded by the Biden administration.
      I listened to America’s outgoing Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mike Milley’s farewell speech. This is an extract of his speech.
      “We don’t take an oath to a king, or a queen, or a tyrant, or a dictator.
      And we don’t take an oath to a want-to-be-dictator.” (Hooray!)
      He also said “Military officers sworn to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign aaaand domestic.” (Another hooray!)
      General Mike Milley made a very powerful and honourable speech, in which he demanded respect for the military from American Presidents!!!! He is another reason why Americans should not re-elect Donald Trump, the megalomaniac, to the Presidency.

      • 2
        0

        The only missing element in Mr. Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection agenda is a peace deal to end the Ukrainian war. Trump doesn’t have a magic wand to stop the war. The war will be paused the moment the US stops pumping weapons to Ukraine. The world is weary of the war. The Ukrainian military is weary of the war. That is why over 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers laid down their arms before the Russian military two days ago. Russia seems to be getting ready for a massive winter offensive. As most of us have learnt last year, Russia excels in winter warfare. How many hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers will perish this winter? I hope Mr. Biden has the answer.
        The US Congress approved a bill that did not include Ukraine aid, to which the Biden administration agreed. Some people call the Ukrainian President a scammer. (Not my opinion.) Then there is a meme on X depicting the Ukrainian President with the caption “When it has been 5 minutes and you haven’t asked for a billion dollar in aid.” The French Foreign Minister has warned Russia not to count on EU’s Ukraine fatigue. That means, there is fatigue. Are all these leading to a truce with Russia?

    • 4
      2

      S
      Khalistan is dead duck in Punjab now.
      Much more dead than Tamil Eelam is in this island.

      • 3
        2

        SJ, This totally agrees with what I’ve been reading. But I never thought that there are so many Siek MPs in the Canadian Parliament today.
        :
        Truedeu is not accepted by the world today just because of one stupid public statement after another. Canadians are believed to suffer greatly under Trudeuism. In the last 5 years, drug use and other disparities have increased in that country. He has a huge deficit of votes in that country today. So his public responses, however silly, may have been associated with winning over his prospective voters.

      • 2
        0

        sj

        if so why doesn’t modi just have a referendum and bed the issue permanently.end of story then for the khalistani’s abroad.Let the whole world know is a dead duck.

        The same applies to the eelam issue.Once and for all hold a referendum in northeast.

    • 3
      0

      Why should there be a referendum in Punjab where the separatists have been fully isolated? It will be politically stupid.
      Will Modi then dare one in Kashmir or in Manipur?

      • 1
        0

        sj

        you should have a referendum only if you are sure that you can win it.No point in having a referendum you are going to lose.that is why kashmir or manipur or the northeast of srilanka is out of the question.Awin in a referendum shows the whole world that the khalistanis in canada are a selfish bunch only thinking of their own interests and not of their brethren in their home country who are not having the comfortable lifestyle in canada and the education for teir children like in canada.

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