121. public display of religion must be banned
Known as a majority French-speaking province the Canadian province of Quebec has decided to strengthen state secularism.
Whatsoever may be their own reason but it must be supported.
France has already passed a ban on veils, crosses and other religious symbols in schools in 2004 and on face covering in public spaces in 2010.
In Quebec a bill dubbed as “secularism 2.0” will be shortly introduced by the governing Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) which is expected to expand the 2019 religious symbols law.
The bill has fuelled fierce debate.
The bill, if cleared, will impose restrictions on public prayer.
It will also limit the exclusive offering of religion-based menus, like kosher and halal meals, in public institutions.
Although like another such bill, Bill 21, the new legislation also invokes the clause pre-emptively, shielding it from challenges under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms still Canada's Supreme Court will hear a legal challenge of the law early next year.
The measures proposed in Bill would extend the ban on wearing religious symbols and bar "collective religious practices" like prayer in public spaces, such as parks.
It will also prevent students and staff from wearing face coverings in daycare all the way through to post-secondary education.
In fact, it was the groups praying at pro-Palestinian demonstrations that sparked heated discussion and as a result the government is in action.
Citizens are outraged watching blocking of traffic and taking possession of the public space without warning, and then turning streets, parks, and public squares into places of worship.
Critics and Muslim associations say CAQ is creating division in an attempt to bolster support ahead of next year's provincial election.
The earlier such move known as Bill 21 was passed six years ago, the issue of secularism has continued to simmer in Quebec.
Islam like any other place has been an issue in Quebec also as teachers try to introduce Islamist beliefs in schools.
Bill 21 prohibits public officials in positions of authority - such as judges, police officers, teachers and public servants - from wearing religious symbols such as the kippah, turban or hijab while at work.
It also requires public services to be provided and received with the face uncovered.
Bill 21 does not mention any specific religion and would include symbols worn by a person of any faith, including Christians, and affirms the religious neutrality of the province.
Similar legislation to Bill 21 is in place in various countries across the EU.
Crackdown on public display of religion is the need of the hour.
Governments in Canada can pass laws that breaches certain fundamental rights if they use a legal mechanism known as a the “notwithstanding clause”.
So the government will hopefully not face much problem.