By Ankita Gupta
Jagmeet Singh, a 38-year-old Sikh has risen to political stardom in Canada after registering a resounding victory as the leader of the New Democratic Party. The son of Punjabi immigrants, Singh was elected in the first ballot to rival Justin Trudeau, the current PM. The charming politician, carrying himself in bright turbans and tailored suits, has been victorious against three other candidates with 53.6% votes in his favour.
Winning hearts across borders
Singh, who hails from a minor ethnic community, trumps in handling hecklers with finesse. In a campaign video that has gone viral, Singh gracefully tackled a white woman who accused him of being in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood.” Without losing his cool, he gave her a lesson in tolerance and love.
Being a brown-skinned bearded outsider, he himself has faced his share of obstacles and encourages his supporters to face them with love and courage. This reaction has garnered him worldwide support including praise from Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King and CNNs Jake Tapper.
The provincial candidate is focussing on electoral reform, climate change and bridging the gap with the indigenous people as part of his campaign. He is also fighting for fair labour, improved housing, LGBT rights and an end to gender violence.
Government: Stay away from Indian soil
Even as Jagmeet Singh continues to advance in the global limelight, he has been blacklisted as a persona-non grata by the Indian Government. He is the first sitting member of the Western Legislature to be denied an Indian Visa due to his outspoken criticism of the UPA led government.
Singh has lambasted the Indian administration for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the aftermath of Indira Gandhis death. He even denounced these riots as genocide in an official statement.
The criminal lawyer turned politician has accused the Indian Government of interfering with his campaign and influencing members of his own community to revoke their support.
A threat to Trudeau?
The newly-minted party leader who has paved a new way for the minorities and the marginalized will be standing in the next federal election in 2019. Touted by supporters as breathing fresh life into the party, Singh, Trudeau and Andrew Scheeler (Conservative Party elect) have an average age of 40 years between them and are the youngest trio of political leaders in Canadas history to stand for Prime Minister.
With the NDP party holding only 44 of the 338 seats in the Canadian Parliament, Singh’s journey to power is nothing less than walking an untrodden path as the NDA party has never been in power. As per the recent polls, however, Singh is cited as a dangerous candidate for Trudeau.
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