Canada’s New Democratic Party chief Jagmeet Singh’s statement that he considered self-determination to be “a basic right” in Punjab has not gone down well with the political parties back home.
Right from Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to senior leaders from Shiromani Akali Dal, Bharatiya Janta Party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and others rejected NDP leader’s views accusing him of destabilising State’s peace and harmony.
Condemning, Capt Amarinder said he was obviously disconnected from the ground realities in India, where Sikhs hold a place of pride with their excellent achievements in every field.
Accusing Jagmeet of trying to destabilise Punjab by creating strife with his ill-conceived and confrontational remarks, Capt Amarinder said the Canadian authorities should take serious note of such disruptive elements using their soil to spread discord in India.
Jagmeet’s statement that he considers self-determination to be a “basic right” in places such as Punjab, Catalonia or Quebec was clearly designed to spread trouble in Punjab, said Capt Amarinder, asserting that his Government would not allow any such attempt to succeed at any cost.
At a time when Punjab was working on a holistic development and revival agenda, Jagmeet was trying to whip up negative passions among the Sikh community, the CM said adding that the newly-elected NDP leader would not succeed in his nefarious designs as the people of Punjab wanted peace and stability.
Capt Amarinder expressed pride on the contribution of Sikhs worldwide, saying that the community was known for its accomplishments and for bringing accolades not only to India but to whichever country they were settled in. A handful of destructive elements could not undermine the achievements of Sikhs, he added.
Pointing out that the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) had failed to trigger unrest in Punjab through its recent ‘Khalistan 2020 Referendum’, which Jagmeet had echoed with his statement on self-determination, Capt Amarinder said that the NDP leader was not likely to succeed either.
Capt Amarinder said that Jagmeet’s comments against Punjab amounted to anti-India conspiracy and hoped the Canadian government would take due cognizance. He urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to ensure that his country’s soil was not used for such assaults on India’s integrity and security.
SAD’s former minister and spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said that Canadian leaders should not meddle in India’s affairs. “They should mind their own affairs. We respect the sovereignty of our country. Punjab and our party are an unbreakable part of the Indian democratic and political system,” Cheema said.
“A separate state is the brainchild of a few Sikhs abroad. We rejoiced when you were elected NDP president but your views on Khalistan have damaged our aspirations...SAD never supported the demand for self-determination or Khalistan. When we don’t interfere in Canada’s internal issues, why should theyIJ” he asked the NDP leader.
AAP’s Punjab unit president Bhagwant Mann termed Jagmeet’s self-determination talk a part of his domestic politics in Canada. “We congratulate Jagmeet on his achievements in another country, but that does not mean he can say anything he likes or talk about self-determination in Punjab,” said Mann.
“India is a democratic country where everyone from a sarpanch to an MP is elected by the people. Punjab is very much its part. We swear by the Constitution. Punjab is the annadata (provider of grain) to the country. It has seen ups and downs but I am confident that it will regain its glory,” he said.
Former National Commission for Minorities chairman and former Rajya Sabha MP Tarlochan Singh said: “Sikhs living in Punjab and India have never demanded a separate state, which is the brainchild of a few Sikhs living abroad. We believe in the unity of India and want to solve all our problems through constitutional means.”