Punjab not on Canadian PM's itinerary, Dal Khalsa upset

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s itinerary does not include Punjab, departing from the tradition of his predecessors.Keeping this in view, the Dal Khalsa has sent a communique to Mark Carney, urging him to raise concerns about the rule of law, transnational repression and gangsters extending their tentacles in Canada during discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kanwar Pal Singh, secretary for political affairs of Dal Khalsa, said Sikhs keep their hopes high for justice and fairness, but with fingers crossed. He also expressed his dismay at the omission of Punjab from his itinerary this time.

The Dal Khalsa letter said the Sikhs in Punjab would have been pleased if a visit to Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar, had been part of the Canadian PM’s itinerary.

He expressed comfort and relief on the statement by Canadian Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, who has categorically stated that in the forthcoming interaction with Indian counterparts, “while trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence will be the focus of their visit to India, primacy will be accorded to rule of law concerns, transnational repression and the Bishnoi factor.”

He demanded that PM Carney raise these issues with PM Modi, as it would reassure Sikhs that their rights will not be traded away for business and financial deals.

The letter further mentions that back in Canada, the Vancouver Police Department has warned Sikh Canadian Moninder Singh, head of Sikh Federation of Canada, about a “credible threat” to his life.

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