'Gangsters Are Granted Citizenship There': Punjab Leaders Amid India-Canada Diplomatic Row

Punjab leaders across parties hit out at the Justin Trudeau administration, accusing it of giving citizenship to wanted “gangsters” in Canada.

Congress MP Ravneet Singh, BJP Punjab President Sunil Jakhar, Akali Dal Chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.

New Delhi: Amid the tense diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, Punjab leaders across parties on Thursday hit out at the Justin Trudeau administration accusing it of giving citizenship to wanted “gangsters”.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Congress MP Ravneet Singh said, “The NIA has provided a list of 10 gangsters who run drug cartels in Punjab, and 8 of them are in Canada. They have been granted citizenship there, so the question arises, are they (Canada) our friends or enemies? The murder of Sidhu Moose Wala was allegedly planned by individuals based in Canada.”

VIDEO | "The NIA has provided a list of 10 gangsters who run drug cartels in Punjab, and 8 of them are in Canada. They have been granted citizenship there, so the question arises, are they (Canada) our friends or enemies? The murder of Sidhu Moose Wala was allegedly planned by… pic.twitter.com/h6uq6wMyGi

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 21, 2023

BJP’s Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar said PM Trudeau was running a “minority government” and is desperate to turn to “mischievous and separatist elements” on his home soil for support. He said it was “unfortunate” that a “responsible” head of state was making such “irresponsible” statements for the sake of vote bank politics.

“This is extremely unfortunate that a responsible Head of State made such an irresponsible statement for the sake of petty vote bank politics. No nation lets local politics affect its foreign policies. He (Justin Trudeau) is running a minority government and in a desperate bid to arrest his declining political stocks, he is forced to take support from mischievous and separatist elements. He is speaking their language. I think this should be condemned on the international level. India's stand on terrorism is clear,” Jakhar said as quoted by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Chandigarh: On India-Canada row, BJP Punjab President Sunil Jakhar says, "This is extremely unfortunate that a Prime Minister of a responsible nation gives such an irresponsible statement for the sake of a small vote bank politics... Any nation does not let local… pic.twitter.com/zN9L8NAXVY

— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also hit out at the Canada government amid the escalating tensions with India, saying, “Many students from India are wary of what will happen if their visas to visit Canada are denied. I have received many calls from Indian students voicing their anxieties about their studies in Canada.”

#WATCH | Delhi: On the India-Canada row, Akali Dal President & MP Sukhbir Singh Badal says, "The current situation between India and Canada is now affecting the people of Indian origin living in Canada...A panic-like situation is developing among the people. The government of… pic.twitter.com/g9f7vbYqLH

— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

SAD leader Daljeet Singh Cheema advocated a diplomatic resolution to the standoff. Speaking to PTI, Cheema said, “There should be a diplomatic resolution to the issue between India and Canada. Both are mature countries and efforts should be made to not cause any inconvenience to the people.”