 "Canadian defence minister a 'Khalistani' sympathiser: Amarinder Singh")
Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday called Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan a “Khalistani sympathiser” and said he will not meet him when he visits India later this month. He alleged that five Sikh ministers of the Justin Trudeau government in Canada were Khalistani sympathisers.
The Punjab CM said this on Shekhar Gupta's show Off the Cuff. He said “Harjit Sajjan is a Khalistani sympathiser, and so was his father.”
According to a report of Indian Express, a release issued by the Chief Minister’s office quoted him saying, “In fact, there are five ministers in the Justin Trudeau government who were Khalistani sympathisers and I would not have any truck with them. These Khalistani sympathizers had prevailed upon the government to prevent my entry into Canada, where I wanted to go to meet my Punjabi brethren and not to campaign for elections.”
Amarinder had to cancel his rallies in Canada in April 2016 in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly Elections when he was denied permission following protests by the Sikhs for Justice organisation. Amarinder had shot off a letter of protest to Trudeau.
Harjit Singh Sajjan, the Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, is expected to travel to India later this month on his first visit since his appointment as minister.
The issue of Khalistan also cropped up during the Punjab election campaign. Amarinder had earlier claimed that he had proof of AAP's Punjab campaign being funded by 'Khalistanis'.
Known for his forthrightness, the Punjab CM was vocal on other issues like beef ban, Pakistani artists and EVM tampering as well.
On the issue of beef ban, he said, people have the right to and should be allowed to eat whatever they want.
Amarinder also made it clear he was not in favour of a ban on Pakistani artists, and said he would be happy to invite them to Punjab and would also love to visit Pakistan again.
Asserting that there was a deliberate, malicious attempt by vested interests to pull down Rahul Gandhi, he urged the people to give the Congress vice president a chance.
He further said that if the EVMs were tampered with, he would not have been in power, contradicting the stand taken by the Congress party that the machines were not infallible.
The Punjab CM said this on Shekhar Gupta's show Off the Cuff. He said “Harjit Sajjan is a Khalistani sympathiser, and so was his father.”
According to a report of Indian Express, a release issued by the Chief Minister’s office quoted him saying, “In fact, there are five ministers in the Justin Trudeau government who were Khalistani sympathisers and I would not have any truck with them. These Khalistani sympathizers had prevailed upon the government to prevent my entry into Canada, where I wanted to go to meet my Punjabi brethren and not to campaign for elections.”
Amarinder had to cancel his rallies in Canada in April 2016 in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly Elections when he was denied permission following protests by the Sikhs for Justice organisation. Amarinder had shot off a letter of protest to Trudeau.
Harjit Singh Sajjan, the Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, is expected to travel to India later this month on his first visit since his appointment as minister.
The issue of Khalistan also cropped up during the Punjab election campaign. Amarinder had earlier claimed that he had proof of AAP's Punjab campaign being funded by 'Khalistanis'.
Known for his forthrightness, the Punjab CM was vocal on other issues like beef ban, Pakistani artists and EVM tampering as well.
On the issue of beef ban, he said, people have the right to and should be allowed to eat whatever they want.
Amarinder also made it clear he was not in favour of a ban on Pakistani artists, and said he would be happy to invite them to Punjab and would also love to visit Pakistan again.
Asserting that there was a deliberate, malicious attempt by vested interests to pull down Rahul Gandhi, he urged the people to give the Congress vice president a chance.
He further said that if the EVMs were tampered with, he would not have been in power, contradicting the stand taken by the Congress party that the machines were not infallible.
One subscription. Two world-class reads.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%