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Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Punjabi-Canadian journalist arrested in India
Large Brampton protest claims outspoken critic of corruption in Punjab is being framed for political reasons.
MOIRA WELSH / TORONTO STAR Order this photo
Supporters of arrested Punjabi-Canadian journalist Baltej Pannu hold
signs in his support at a rally held at the Canadian Convention Centre
in Brampton.
News that long-time Brampton journalist Baltej Pannu had been arrested
in India brought the GTA’s Punjabi-Canadian community out to a massive
protest Saturday demanding his safe release.
More than 3,000 people filled the Canadian Convention Centre in
Brampton, responding to a Facebook post and news articles in India's
papers that detailed Pannu's arrest in Punjab on Thursday, on charges
related to sexual exploitation and intimidation.
Supporters say the Punjab state government is trying to silence Pannu, a
fierce critic, and want Ottawa and India’s federal government to
intervene.
"He's an outspoken journalist and he has taken on the Punjabi
government," said Ontario NDP Deputy Leader Jagmeet Singh, who attended.
"We are questioning the legitimacy of these charges. It is a strategy
that is often used to silence dissidents."
Pannu, a Canadian citizen, lived in Brampton for 25 years, working as a
social justice reporter and radio host before moving to Punjab with his
wife about five years ago, friends said. He has a son who lives in
Vancouver. A similar rally is scheduled for Sunday in Surrey, B.C.
In Punjab, Pannu hosts radio shows that air internationally, including
regular spots in the GTA, said friend and broadcasting colleague
Ravinder Singh. He's also involved in a Punjab organization that helps
children with disabilities, Singh said.
Supporters said Pannu is known for his outspoken allegations of
corruption in Punjab, where Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son
and two brothers-in-law hold key positions of power. They say Pannu has
claimed the ruling party has close links to drug traffickers and
organized crime.
"His wife contacted me and said police in civilian clothing blocked his
car," said broadcasting friend Singh. "They took him to the police
station. They said he would be released in an hour or two, but then they
told her he was being charged."
Details remain unclear. According to the Hindustan Times, the
allegations were lodged by a local activist involved in an organization
helping disabled children. The Times online reported that she told
police Pannu sexually exploited her "by making false promises." She also
alleged Pannu threatened to "malign her image if she failed to do his
bidding.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has plans to meet with India’s Narendra
Modi on Sunday night ahead of the climate change talks in Paris.