NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is urging the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop inciting anti-Muslim sentiment in India. In a candid statement on Indian politics, Singh wrote on Twitter on Thursday that he was concerned about evidence that Muslims were being actively persecuted in the country. “I am deeply concerned about images, videos and targeted threats of violence against the Muslim community in India,” he said. His comments are an obvious reference to a wave of attacks on Muslims and a viral video of a man threatening to rape Muslim women. There were also reports of processions by right-wing Hindu groups making threats and shouting provocative slogans outside mosques and Muslim homes. Singh, a Sikh, says human rights must be protected and Canada must play a strong role in the peace effort everywhere. In February, the House of Commons subcommittee on International Human Rights heard testimony about the persecution of India’s Muslim population. Nury Turkel, vice president of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, warned lawmakers that governments were “losing sight of human rights abuses and religious persecution of Muslims in India.” “It is inconceivable that a country with a large Muslim population, which recently had a Muslim president, is now chasing this vulnerable group,” Turkel said. “India is a great democracy.” On Thursday, Singh attended the Vaisakhi celebrations in the greater Toronto area. Vaisakhi marks the founding of the community of baptized Sikhs, known as Khalsa Panth, by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. During Vaisakhi, Sikhs around the world participated in the tradition of “sewa” or selfless social service and took part in colorful parades, reflecting on the importance of upholding justice and promoting equality. For subscribers: Receive exclusive political news and analysis by subscribing to Political information.