On 29th April, a unit of Sikh soldiers from Toronto-area reserve units of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) was marching on the road with unmuzzled weapons on the go with magazines in place. All were marching in the Khalsa Day Parade.
The troop was photographed while doing this on the roads of the city. The Canadian military is scrambling to explain why a troop was issued weapons on a march in Sikh Parade. now the military is being defensive after soldiers wrongly used guns in Khalsa Day Parade.
Not so surprisingly, Controversial author and columnist Tarek Fatah posted this photo on his Twitter handle and labelled it as extremist act. He wrote extensively about extremism.
His post drew more than 5000 likes and over 2.2K re-tweets.
Canadian Sikh soldiers march in Toronto’s Khalsa Day Parade. What next? Jewish soldiers to mark Yom Kippur or Hindu soldiers marching for Diwali? Stop it please. Trudeau is turning our Canadian armed forces into an ethnic vote getting spectable. Stop ghettoizing our military. pic.twitter.com/RzmdxYsTNG
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) April 29, 2019
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said, “While the intentions to participate in this event were good, the choice that was made was inappropriate.”
Further, he said, “I know that the commander of the 4th division and other commanders will take appropriate action to ensure that something like this never happens again.”
Moreover, the CAF confirmed the authenticity of the photograph. It said it is normal to carry weapons like this at events.
A CAF spokesperson said soldiers with the 4 Canadian Divisions participate in a number of community and outreach events but normally they do not carry weapons at such events.
He said, this time the commander of the unit authorized the display “in a misguided attempt to show a well equipped CAF.”
Also, he said, “It never happens at Pride or similar events because it is not appropriate, it was not appropriate in this instance either.”
It’s actually questionable that why would a nation’s army or unit of a specific community of army do this in an event. Marching at a communal event with unmuzzled weapons? What does that mean? Showing off the power? Doesn’t it seem like an extremist act?
The commander of 32 Canadian Brigade authorized the participation in the Parade. But, he assigned the task to the commanding officer of the Lorne Scots.
Also Read: Shooting At University Of North Carolina’s Charlotte Campus – 2 Killed.
The 4 Canadian Division Commander is following up with this unit and issuing an additional direction to the entire division prohibiting the carriage of weapons at similar events.
Noticeably, none has seen such public display at any other parades, such as Pride or other similar events.
It’s conventional for soldiers to march in such a fashion. But, its exception for them to carry weapons while doing this.
Several military sources said it looked more like a show of force by troops on patrol in a conflict zone than a public parade in Toronto.
In addition, CAF spokesman said, “Any parade in which weapons are carried would have to adhere to the Canadian Armed Forces Manual of Drill and Ceremonial.”
Not just that, a retired General Officer suggested it was totally unprofessional and brought discredit to the Canadian Armed Forces and felt someone should be held to account.
Notably, many Canadians are condemning the use of unmuzzled weapons on the Sikh community’s Khalsa Day Parade. Whereas some do not have any problem with this.
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