False bomb threat tippers should be prosecuted: World Sikh Organization of Canada

The World Sikh Organization of Canada says Canadian law enforcement should fully investigate and prosecute those involved in providing the tip that led to the wrongful arrest of two organizers of a Sikh rally near Parliament Hill Saturday.

Tejinder Singh Sidhu, the organization’s president, says in a statement that the “hoax bomb threat” in connection to the Sikh rally is “deeply concerning.”

“This was clearly an attempt to obstruct the commemoration of the 1984 Indian attack on Sri Darbar Sahib and to frighten Sikhs who attend such events. This is yet another example of false allegations of ‘Sikh extremism’ being used to thwart and suppress legitimate Sikh expression,” said Sidhu.

“We call on law enforcement agencies, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to fully investigate this incident and ensure those responsible for making the false threat are fully prosecuted and held accountable.”

“We call on law enforcement agencies, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to fully investigate this incident and ensure those responsible for making the false threat are fully prosecuted and held accountable.”

— WSO (@WorldSikhOrg) June 13, 2022

The two rally organizers say they were wrongfully arrested in connection with a bomb threat, an experience one of the men described as “disrespectful” and “harassment.”

The men are raising questions about who gave their names to investigators and why, as well as how police handled that information.

“I’m still in shock. I couldn’t sleep for a couple of nights after that. I’m still uncomfortable and lots of questions in my mind, like who wants to set me up? What was that credible information that they just came to me and arrested me?” said Manveer Singh.

He and Parminder Singh were organizers of a remembrance rally for the victims of the 1984 massacre of Sikhs in India.

Related articles: 

• Two Sikh rally organizers say they were wrongly arrested amid Parliament bomb scare

• Police identify persons of interest but no threat as Parliament Hill probe continues

Police have not answered questions about the two men’s account of events and released few details about the “potential threat” that prompted an evacuation of Parliament and closure of surrounding streets for several hours.

The lockdown Saturday was eventually lifted when police determined there was no threat to public safety.

The Parliamentary Protective Service had told members of Parliament and senators to “shelter in place” while it investigated.

In a Twitter thread, the Ottawa Police Service wrote that two people of interest and two vehicles of interest had been located.