Liberal MP accuses fellow caucus member of threatening him in the House of Commons

Liberal MP Chandra Arya has made accusations against his caucus colleague Sukh Dhaliwal, claiming that Dhaliwal threatened him in the House of Commons on Friday. The alleged incident occurred after Dhaliwal, who represents the Surrey—Newton riding in B.C., sought unanimous consent from the House on a motion to condemn the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as “genocide.”

During the proceedings, a number of MPs, including Arya who represents Nepean in Ontario, voiced their dissent by calling out “no” before Dhaliwal could finish reading his motion, thus preventing it from receiving unanimous support. Arya later asserted that he was the sole individual to oppose the motion.

Approximately 20 minutes later, Arya rose in the House on a point of order and disclosed that Dhaliwal had allegedly “threatened” him as he exited the Commons chamber. Arya also mentioned that another unidentified MP had “accosted” him in the lobby.

“As a member of Parliament, I should be able to express my opinion and views freely in the House without feeling threatened by the words or actions of my fellow members,” Arya emphasized.

CBC News has attempted to contact both Arya and Dhaliwal for further details on the incident that transpired on Friday, but as of now, neither has responded.

The tense exchange between the two Liberal MPs highlights the importance of respectful discourse within the political arena. As this story unfolds, it underscores the need for open communication and mutual respect among colleagues, even in the midst of differing opinions.