Diwali celebrations in B.C. discouraged amid turmoil in India

Some Sikh leaders in Abbotsford, B.C., and across Metro Vancouver are urging toned down Diwalicelebrations amidrecent turmoil in the Punjab region of India.

Diwali, also known asthe Festival of Light,is one of the mostcolourful celebrations of the year,observedby both Hindus and Sikhs.

The holiday marks the triumph of good over evil and is associated with lighting lamps, sharing sweets, and setting off fireworks.

But this year,a numberof leaders withthe region's gurdwaras Sikh templesare askingcommunity membersfor a quieter,more somber event.

"We're telling people don't bring those lights, just come and sit in the prayer hall," said Bhajan Singh Toor with the Khalsa Diwan Society in Abbotsford.

Satwinder Bains, the director for the Centre of Indo Canadian Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley,says Sikhs' request for a darker Diwali has beensparkedbyrecentincidents in the Punjab region of India.

The Sikh holy book, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib,was allegedly damaged, provoking anger among some Sikh communities in India.

"The scriptures are like a living guru to us, so to actually desecrate the holy scripture is quite sacrilegious for Sikhs," she said.

According to the BBC, some Sikhs took to the streets to protest, but in a moment of alleged police violence, twodemonstrators were killed and many more were injured.

Bainssays the turmoil in Punjab has sparked concernand a request for toned down Diwali celebrationsat a lot ofgurdwarasin the Lower Mainland,and around the world.

"If I look at San Jose, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Australia, England, I see all of them also supporting this ban," said Bains.

She says Sikhcommunities will still be gatheringand praying, albeit in a less boisterous way.

Meanwhile, at theLaxmi Narayan Mandirtemple in Surrey,Hindu priest Rakesh Sharma says Diwali will be celebrated as it always has been,with the lighting of candles.

Sharma says the festival's main message is clear.

"Everybody live together and everybody have a peaceful life."