WSO Calls CBC “Hatchet Job” False And Malicious Allegations

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Canadian Sikh Organization Says It Is Not Involved In Any Liberal Nomination Battles, Threatens To Sue CBC For Defamation!

“A CBC report stating that the WSO is involved in the backroom battles among warring Liberal Party members is not only inaccurate, it is defamatory. Other media outlets are requested to contact the WSO before repeating and spreading this misinformation. Allegations that the WSO is linked to, endorses, or supports any form of violence are false and malicious,” WSO said in a news release Thursday afternoon, adding their legal counsel has been in touch with CBC management.

By R. Paul Dhillon

SURREY –  The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) responded Thursday to a one-sided story done by CBC’s Terry Milewski, who is known for his anti-Sikh diatribes in the past, on the federal nomination battle in South Vancouver which fizzled after “moderate Sikh” candidate Barj Dhahan stepped down to make room for decorated army man and ex-VPD constable Harj Sajjan, the first turbaned Sikh to command a Canadian army regiment, to be acclaimed as the riding’s candidate at a scheduled nomination meeting in the riding Friday evening.

WSO put out a news release Thursday afternoon “to correct recent reports that it has endorsed candidates or is involved in nomination battles in the Liberal Party of Canada,” it said.

“A CBC report stating that the WSO is involved in the backroom battles among warring Liberal Party members is not only inaccurate, it is defamatory. Other media outlets are requested to contact the WSO before repeating and spreading this misinformation. Allegations that the WSO is linked to, endorses, or supports any form of violence are false and malicious,” WSO said.

The Sikh organization said their legal counsel has been in touch with CBC management.

“The WSO is a non-partisan, human rights organization, with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights of all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status.

“The WSO does not, as a matter of policy, endorse or support any specific political party or individual candidates.  The WSO, like many other Canadian organizations, is comprised of individual members who have diverse interests that run across the social and political spectrum. The WSO maintains its independence from all political parties,” WSO said.

The organization added that December 2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of WSO, which has been at the forefront of addressing human rights issues through dialogue, education and engagement with the legal system, including three appearances at the Supreme Court of Canada.

“We stand proudly by our record of service,” it said.