Canada PM Justin Trudeau walks with Indian filmmaker Sridhar Rangayan at Montreal pride parade
“We know people look to Canada to see the example,” Trudeau said.
“And we will continue to work hard to push the limits of what other countries do because we have to send the message that LGBTQ rights are human rights.”
Indian filmmaker and activist Sridhar Rangayan, who was one of the Grand Marshals leading the parade along with Trudeau said, “I am delighted and humbled to be invited to be one of the Grand Marshals of Montreal Pride. While it is a great personal honour, I see it also as an opportunity to rally global support for the Indian LGBTQ community.”
Waving an Indian flag, Rangayan said, “Today, coincidentally, is Indian Independence Day – it is the 70th independence day of one of the world’s biggest democracy. Sadly while India was liberated 70 years ago, the Indian LGBTQ community is still under a colonial law.
"The judiciary and the government in India still do not see LGBTQ rights as basic human rights. While India has become a global force to reckon with, it still sadly refuses to address the problems of gay, lesbian, transgender community, who are even today persecuted and discriminated.”
“We need this changed and we need this changed now. We need a movement within India and a thrust from across the world”, he said.
Calling for a greater collaboration between India and Canada, Rangayan said, “I request and entreat the Honourable Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau to call for a greater collaborative involvement and support to the Indian LGBTQ community, so that someday soon we too will enjoy all the rights just as LGBTQ people in Canada do.”
Rangayan waving a tri-color stole danced with the local dance troupe Bollywood Blast to Indian songs throughout the 3 km pride parade that saw hundreds of thousands of people participate.
Justin Trudeau became the first sitting prime minister to walk in three pride parades in Canada – Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
Representatives from the federal Conservatives, the Liberal Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party, the Bloc Québécois, as well as provincial and municipal politicians were all in attendance.
Trudeau said the show of solidarity is important now that the world is increasingly looking to Canada to set an example.
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