Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised during the Surrey Vaisakhi parade on Saturday (April 23). Not only were Khalistan flags fluttering from different floats in the parade, portraits of Khalistani militants and ideologues greeted visitors from various corners along the parade route.

Propaganda in support of Khalistan was in full swing from at least five different stages, while several men were seen walking with jackets bearing “Khalistan Zindabad” slogans.

Organized under the aegis of Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, which supports an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan carved out of India, the parade was reportedly attended by more than 350,000 people from across North America.

The Dashmesh Darbar spokesman, Gian Singh Gill, told Straight that the son of a prominent militant leader, Bhai Amrik Singh, was honoured on the occasion. Singh died fighting against the Indian army during Operation Bluestar in 1984, when the government attacked the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Canadian politicians ranging from B.C. premier Christy Clark to federal Liberal MPs and elected officials from the opposition B.C. NDP joined the crowd.  

Visiting Aam Aadmi Party MP Dharamvir Gandhi also participated in the parade. He earlier clarified that this was not a political visit and he mainly spoke out on social issues, like caste-based discrimination and substance abuse in Punjab. Nevertheless, the AAP had a stall on the parade route, while party supporters were seen walking in the crowd with their white caps.

In the light of an upcoming official apology in Parliament for the Komagata Maru episode on May 18, the Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation also set up a stall with a big "Thanks" sign to express gratitude.

The apology was sought by the foundation when it launched a petition 15 years ago. It was signed by thousands of people and presented in the House of Commons, paving the way for the apology that's finally coming.

Encouraged by the result of the apology campaign, the East Indian Defence Committee has started a petition seeking recognition of Mewa Singh as a Canadian hero.

Mewa Singh was hanged in 1915 in Vancouver for assassinating controversial Immigration Inspector William Hopkinson in the aftermath of Komagata Maru being expelled from Canadian waters with more than 350 Indians onboard. People were seen signing the petition during the event.

While devout Sikhs on hand chanted prayers and hymns, members of Taraksheel Sabha added a different colour by propagating through placards against superstition and blind faith.

Despite all the controversies and politics, people from different ethnic backgrounds came together to join the annual Vaisakhi parade with enthusiasm. Free food was served by different businesses and organizers had volunteers collect all the waste in gunny bags to ensure cleanliness on the roads.