NEW DELHI, January 18, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Canadian Health Minsiter Ujjal Dosanjh, himself a Sikh, was on the spot today attempting to defend his radical support for homosexual ‘marriage’ in the face of a call by the world leader of the Sikh religion to oppose such unions.
Beyond insulting the Sikh religious leader Joginder Singh Vedanti, by saying the edict “will absolutely not have any impact whatsoever,” Dosanjh compared himself to the Catholic Prime Minister. “I mean, Prime Minister Martin and Prime Minister Chretien both were Catholics, the Vatican didn’t have an impact on them. And therefore no other religious institution would have an impact on anybody else,” said Dosanjh. Another Sikh Liberal MP was more respectful of the religious leader’s statement. Gurbar Singh Malhi, from Bramalea, Ontario said, “I believe in religion that’s why I am against the same sex marriage.” Malhi explained, ‘For the Sikhs, (Vedanti) is next to God. So I think whatever he says, the people have to follow the rules and regulations of the traditions.’’ Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, a Catholic, commented comparing the question of gay ‘marriage’ to religious rights. “I would point out that we are a country of ethnic and religious minorities,’’ Martin told reporters. “And the purpose of the Charter of Rights is to protect minorities, to protect them against the oppression of the majority.’’ Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at first declined comment, but then acquiesced. “I don’t think it’s proper for me to comment on internal Canadian affairs, but certainly I think such a thing in our country would not have, I think wide appreciation,” he said. jhw