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The onus is on Ujjal Dosanjh
Why do many in the media insist on marginalizing Ujjal Dosanjh? Although he is the first Indo-Canadian to hold the office of premier, reporters run to his door for a comment every time an event unfolds within the Indo-Canadian community. No other politician has to answer such questions. As a Canadian (my grandfather arrived from India in 1910 and died in 1950, just three years after his beloved country extended him the right to vote), I am offended by this treatment of Mr. Dosanjh. For example, following two arrests in the Air India bombing, several reporters said Mr. Dosanjh had encountered one of the accused, Ripudaman Singh Malik, a few times. How is this relevant? Although we were told Mr. Malik might have attended a recent fund raising dinner in Vancouver for the prime minister, was Jean Chretien asked if he had encountered Mr. Malik? Sun reporter Kim Bolan prefaces any mention of Mr. Dosanjh by acknowledging his past role as a moderate activist. Asking him to comment on events from that perspective was more responsible reporting. The media need to ask themselves why they view Mr. Dosanjh as an Indo-Canadian premier, rather than a premier of Indian descent. Maybe then he'll be accorded the same treatment as his fellow politicians. Source: Vancouver Sun November 02, 2000
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