A controversy erupted in British Columbia this week after several Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from both the BC Conservatives and the New Democratic Party (NDP) publicly welcomed Punjabi music artists, including the controversial singer Jazzy B, in the provincial legislature. The incident occurred on Tuesday, when a total of eight MLAs introduced and praised the visiting artists during a session of the Legislative Assembly.

Among those applauded were Jazzy B, Sabi Gunnar, Inderpal Moga, Chani Nattan, Marco, and Mander. BC Conservative MLA Steve Kooner, who hails from a musical family, paid tribute by stating, “Jazzy B did sing part of my dad’s song about thirty years ago. I really appreciated that.”

Online Criticism And Accusations Of Extremism

Kooner’s speech was widely shared on social media, triggering sharp criticism. Independent MLA Dallas Brodie condemned the move, writing on X,“Today several prominent pro-Khalistani figures were welcomed in the BC Legislature by MLAs of both the BC Conservatives and NDP. Some of those individuals have openly celebrated violent extremists and murderers in their music videos. This is an insult to our Legislature.”

Social media user Claypool joined in, writing, “Here is one MLA doing a shout-out of all the pro-terror rappers. FYI: not everyone mentioned are the rappers.” He continued, “What’s with all the MLAs in the BC legislature introducing all the Khalistani rappers today? Jazzy B is a hardcore Khalistani activist who has several times called for Khalistan.”

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Accusations Of Favouritism And Lunch Invitations

Claypool also accused some MLAs of taking the artists out for lunch following the assembly session. “It was multiple MLAs who introduced or shouted out these rappers, and then some took them for lunch,” he wrote.

The backlash primarily focuses on Jazzy B’s past statements and his music, which critics argue glorify separatist ideologies associated with the Khalistan movement. The issue remains deeply sensitive in Canada-India relations, with the Indian government often voicing concern over perceived support for the movement among the Sikh diaspora.

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