This Article is From Oct 27, 2015

On Bhangra Tune, Trudeau Leads Record Number of Punjabis to Canadian House of Commons

Not just turbaned Sikhs, five Punjabi women have also made their way to the House of Commons.

Toronto: A couple of years ago, Liberal party leader in Canada, Justin Trudeau, now Prime Minister-designate, was seen exhibiting his Bhangra skills at an Indo-Canadian community function in Montreal. Now, after the federal election results, 18 MPs in Canada who are of Punjabi origin have danced their way to Canadian House of Commons. Canada will now have more Punjabis in its Parliament than India, which elects 13 MPs from Punjab.

However, Gurbax Singh Malhi, who was the first Punjabi to be elected to the House of Commons in 1993, says entering the political scene in Canada two decades ago wasn't very easy.

"There was no awareness among the other communities about Sikhs or Indian people... Once I knocked on the door of a Canadian guy and he brought a two by four and tried to hit me... I was saved by some people," says the six-time former MP.

Things have certainly changed since then. Navdeep Singh Bains was born and brought up in Canada and is among five turbaned Sikhs who have been elected. In 2004, he was elected as MP for the first time and was the youngest MP of Liberal party.

"The community has a strong track record in Canada's development... it just shows that there is a sense of belonging, that people really care about this country," Mr Bains said.

Not just turbaned Sikhs, five Punjabi women have also made their way to the House of Commons.

"It does give a platform to lot of Indian issues... but we are Canadian representatives and that is our first and foremost duty... so I will be voice of my community and everyone," said Ruby Sahota, who is well connected to the Indian community.

Even political commentators are surprised by the performance of the Punjabi community in the Canadian federal elections.

"It's a remarkable achievement by the Indian origin candidates as population of Punjabis is not even two per cent whereas the total number of Punjabis in parliament is 18, which is more than 6 per cent," said Rajinder Saini, senior journalist and radio show host.
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