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Let us all wear the label: Canadian MP

Ajit Jain
India Abroad Correspondent in Toronto

Derek Lee, Liberal member of the Canadian House of Commons, says that as a protest people in Canada, India, Pakistan and elsewhere, even Afghanistan if possible, should wear the special label on their clothing that the Taleban is asking religious minorities in Afghanistan to wear.

"I would wear that badge myself as a protest once I see a picture of it," he said in an exclusive interview on Friday. "Every person should realize the evil of it [the Taleban's decree]," Lee stated.

Once he sees a picture of the label, the Toronto-based Canadian lawmaker will have his own label prepared, probably saying "I am a Hindu". He said he was not in any way hesitant going to Ottawa with this kind of label on his shirt.

Lee, however, hoped the Taleban would not enforce its edict and would eventually relent.

Regarding the proposal to open Canada's doors to the Hindus and Sikhs still living in Afghanistan, Lee said it should not mean "we are succumbing to religious cleansing". "Canada has always made its resources available," he added.

In this regard Lee referred to Idi Amin's persecution of South Asians in Uganda in the early 1970s. Many of those South Asians were admitted to Canada. So "I won't rule out a humanitarian response on the part of Canada or any other country," he said.

EARLIER REPORTS:
UN joins chorus of protest against Taleban edict
UNESCO, UNCHR deplore Taleban edict
Canadian Muslims condemn Taleban decree
Edict received with shock in New York
US condemns Taleban's order for Hindus

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