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SASKATOON – The man behind a Saskatchewan human rights complaint over a prayer at a volunteer banquet now has another beef with the city of Saskatoon.

Ashu Solo has filed a complaint with transit over city buses displaying Merry Christmas on programmable bus signs.

Solo says it violates the separation of religion and state and imposes religious beliefs on others who don’t share them.

“I was extremely surprised, offended, and angered that a municipal government organization like Saskatoon Transit would display a message pertaining to a religious holiday on its main bus sign,” Solo said in his complaint to transit manager Bob Howe.

“This is not a Christian city or a Christian country. This is a secular multireligious city in a secular multireligious country with people from numerous religions as well as spiritual people, agnostics, and atheists.”

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“It is extremely inappropriate and extremely discriminatory to have a Christmas message displayed by Saskatoon Transit, which is owned by the City of Saskatoon and funded by taxpayers.”

Solo has given transit until Dec. 22 to remove the display from buses and to offer an apology.

If not, he will take his complaint to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

Solo previously filed a complaint with the human rights commission after councillor Randy Donauer offered a prayer at a volunteer banquet.

That complaint has not yet been heard by the commission.