Speaking to SBS Punjabi from Auckland, Mr Bakshi said, "While governments do everything they can to ensure public safety, the onus really lies with us as individuals and with our communities, to ensure that we value the rights and liberties we enjoy in countries like New Zealand in Australia. We need to be more aware of what transpires around us, and exercise much greater responsibility, since we now live in a world challenged by terrorism and security threats."
Talking about the Five Eyes alliance that is currently holding its meeting in Canada, Mr Bakshi said, "Australia, New Zealand, US, UK and Canada have been working closely together for decades through the Five Eyes alliance, and this association has become all the more important in the current environment." He doesn't believe that the election of Donald Trump as US President will impact the long-standing cooperation and intelligence- sharing between the Five Eyes nations.
Asked whether the discussion of cracking down on encrypted messaging services like Whatsapp (as has been suggested by the Australian delegation at the current Five Eyes meeting), Mr Bakshi said, "This is a discussion that we all must have as a community -- whilst we have our right to privacy, as individuals, we all need to ensure that we don't do anything that necessitates that governments curb it. Social media was created for friends and families to connect with each other, but if some of us misuse social media, then perhaps governments will be forced to crackdown on certain aspects to ensure public safety."
"After repeated terror incidents in England, France and other parts of Europe, it has become clear that no country is immune from such incidents. Even Australia and New Zealand have to be very careful in the current environment."
"Community leaders must educate and inspire individual community members, especially the youngsters, to be mindful of every action they take, because an action taken by an individual can impact upon the whole community."
Although New Zealand so far has not been touched by acts of violence, but Mr Bakshi says recent incidents in Australia have sent a shudder down his own country too. "I can tell you that we in New Zealand watch everything that happens in Australia very closely, and every unsavoury incident renews a wave of fear in our country - because our people think if it can happen in Australia, it can happen in New Zealand too."
Mr Bakshi had a special message for the Sikh community, which has worked hard for generations to carve out its unique identity in countries like Australia and New Zealand. Citing an anecdote, he recalled how a former Indian minister Ram Vilas Paswan told him about his mother regarding a Sikh's turban as a sign of trust and respect. 'It is very important in today's environment to ensure that the Sikh identity and the dignity of the turban is maintained - and every turban-wearing person must ensure that their actions don't compromise the honour and respect that has been forged over generations."
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, three-time National list MP from New Zealand Source: Supplied
In relation to a recent incident in Sydney, when four turban wearing Sikh youths reportedly shouted "Allah u Akbar" at a cinema, Mr Bakshi also recalled another incident of the New Zealander Harman Singh, who took off his turban to rescue a drowning child, going on to gain world-wide accolades for his quick thinking generosity. "Now we know that Sikhs can go to any lengths to defend the honour of their turban, but Harman proved that Sikhs won't flinch in removing it voluntarily, in order to help or protect someone in need."
Mr Bakshi is perhaps the only turbaned Member of Parliament elected in any country in the southern hemisphere. On the verge of completing three consecutive terms in Parliament, he is poised to run for office for the fourth time in September 2017, when the next NZ elections are scheduled. He also urged all Kiwis in Australia to make sure they cast their vote in the upcoming elections. "I urge all New Zealanders living in Australia - if you have spent even a day in New Zealand over the past three years, please do register to vote. Of course, I won't tell you which party to vote for, but please do exercise your sovereign right to cast your vote, knowing that its a privilege not offered to many citizens of the world, even today."
