POLITICS
Congress and BJP unite in Punjab with fiery response to Nijjar row, Akali Dal more measured
- Admin
- Sep 23, 2023
Congress and BJP unite in Punjab with fiery response to Nijjar row, Akali Dal more measured
Amid India-Canada diplomatic standoff, BJP and Congress leaders from Punjab have slammed Justin Trudeau's alleged support for pro-Khalistan extremists. Akali Dal emphasises ‘resolution’.
Bitter rivals BJP and Congress rarely agree on anything, but the rising diplomatic tensions between India and Canada over the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar has got them on the same page.
This unity is particularly evident in Punjab, where the BJP is rallying all state parties to support the central government’s diplomatic stance on Canada. Punjab, notably, has strong ties with Canada, where around 2.6 percent of the population is of Punjabi origin.
“We know that 9 lakh Punjabis live in Canada and a significant number of students are there too. But we also recognise the weak position of the Canadian Prime Minister and the growing political instability in Canada. In this context, India must adopt a muscular diplomatic position to safeguard its interests,” said a BJP leader, speaking
Congress leaders from Punjab have also criticised Trudeau for pandering to Khalistani extremists. For instance, speaking in the Lok Sabha Thursday, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Congress MP from Ludhiana, that the Trudeau government was sheltering pro-Khalistan separatists.
“Our foreign policy from Jawaharlal Nehru to PM Narendra Modi ji has been of non-alignment. The Congress has also taken a strong stance on what the Canadian PM has said,” he added.
However, the Akali Dal, which lost support in the Sikh constituency in the last state elections, is taking a more measured stance, primarily focused on the concerns of people living in Canada.
Friday, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar told mediapersons that the Canadian government had “mortgaged” its foreign policy for separatists.“If the Trudeau government continues to support separatist forces, the Indian government’s decision to suspend visa services is timely. India’s sovereignty and integrity are more important than the concerns of individuals facing temporary challenges,” he said.
Jakhar also said that India does not believe in extrajudicial actions, adding: “We are capable of going after terrorists, as we did in the 2019 airstrike, but not in any clandestine manner anywhere as has been alleged.”
Former Punjab Chief Minister and BJP national executive member Amarinder Singh also did not hold back in a issued earlier this week. He alleged that Trudeau walked into a trap owing to vote bank politics and put at stake the diplomatic relationship between India and Canada.
“The Trudeau administration in Canada has given a free hand to anti-India forces to operate in the country. Has the Canadian government taken any action against the culprit who attacked the Indian mission there?” Amarinder asked.
“We know that 9 lakh Punjabis live in Canada and a significant number of students are there too. But we also recognise the weak position of the Canadian Prime Minister and the growing political instability in Canada. In this context, India must adopt a muscular diplomatic position to safeguard its interests,” said a BJP leader, speaking
Congress leaders from Punjab have also criticised Trudeau for pandering to Khalistani extremists. For instance, speaking in the Lok Sabha Thursday, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Congress MP from Ludhiana, that the Trudeau government was sheltering pro-Khalistan separatists.
“Our foreign policy from Jawaharlal Nehru to PM Narendra Modi ji has been of non-alignment. The Congress has also taken a strong stance on what the Canadian PM has said,” he added.
However, the Akali Dal, which lost support in the Sikh constituency in the last state elections, is taking a more measured stance, primarily focused on the concerns of people living in Canada.
Friday, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar told mediapersons that the Canadian government had “mortgaged” its foreign policy for separatists.“If the Trudeau government continues to support separatist forces, the Indian government’s decision to suspend visa services is timely. India’s sovereignty and integrity are more important than the concerns of individuals facing temporary challenges,” he said.
Jakhar also said that India does not believe in extrajudicial actions, adding: “We are capable of going after terrorists, as we did in the 2019 airstrike, but not in any clandestine manner anywhere as has been alleged.”
Former Punjab Chief Minister and BJP national executive member Amarinder Singh also did not hold back in a issued earlier this week. He alleged that Trudeau walked into a trap owing to vote bank politics and put at stake the diplomatic relationship between India and Canada.
“The Trudeau administration in Canada has given a free hand to anti-India forces to operate in the country. Has the Canadian government taken any action against the culprit who attacked the Indian mission there?” Amarinder asked.
