The Indo-Canadian Workers’ Association held their general body meeting at the Strawberry Hill Public Library in Delta, Surrey, BC. The meeting was attended by a majority of members of ICWA. The Vice-President of the Punjab unit of All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), Subhash Mattu, and MLA from Panorama Ridge, Jinny Sims, attended the event as special guests and observers.
ICWA executive committee member Prashant Mukherjee gave the opening remarks and welcomed all participants and thanked them for attending. The meeting then proceeded to discuss and debate on the activities undertaken the previous year by the ICWA.
Post the discussions, the resolution to re-elect the existing directors of the organization for another term was placed before the house and was passed unanimously. After this, Surinder Dhesi, president of ICWA, presided over the meeting. Surinder Sangha, Subhash Mattu (Leader of CPI(M) Punjab state committee, Jinny Sims (MLA-Surrey-Panaroma) and Dr. Gurnam Singh Sanghera shared their views.
Jinny Sims shared updates about resolutions passed in the New Democratic Party convention held recently in Victoria, BC, and the news laws pertaining to housing and zoning passed in the provincial legislature. She highlighted the work that the current NDP led government was putting in to resolve the housing and affordability crisis prevalent in British Columbia.
Professing solidarity with the people of Palestine
In view of the current conflict in Gaza in particular and Palestine at large, the speakers condemned the violence that has resulted in thousands of civilians being killed. All speakers condemned the initial attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens on the 7th of October, that resulted in the death of approximately 1200 people. The speakers also condemned the disproportionately high, and genocidal reprisal that the state of Israel has unleashed against Palestinian civilians post the incident and how Palestine has remained occupied by Israel for over seven decades, under a system that can only be described as apartheid.
The members expressed their fears that “elimination of Hamas” is only a pretext for Israel to commit further crimes against humanity and annexe all Palestinian lands permanently, rendering a two-state solution impossible and creating a refugee crisis in neighbouring countries as a result. The speakers also criticized the complete abandonment of the Palestinian people by leading players of the international community, especially leading Western countries, who have shamelessly backed Israel while it has continued to perpetuate genocide on mostly the women and children of Gaza, bombing schools, hospitals, and UN facilities with impunity.
The reaction of the current Indian government also came under criticism, which has ranged from tacit support for the genocide to muted indifference. This is particularly disappointing and shameful since such a stand goes against the traditional support Palestine has enjoyed from all Indian governments, a support that has been based on India’s commitment to peace, justice, freedom, morality, and adherence to UN resolutions. India played a leading role in the global fight against apartheid in South Africa, and it must do so now again to maintain its prestige amongst the global community, especially amongst the developing world who have always been India’s natural ally. The discussion ended with a call to the Canadian government to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire and lead diplomatic efforts to ensure Palestinian independence and a final and just end to this conflict.
The GBM ended with the ceremonial unveiling of the 2024 ICWA calendar, which has been dedicated to the people of Palestine. A resolution in this regard was also placed before the GBM expressing ICWA’s solidarity with the Palestinian people by ICWA executive committee member Arnab, which was passed unanimously. Accordingly, the resolution has been released as a press statement on the ICWA website on November 26, 2023.
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