Canadian Sikh Min ‘Hurt’ by Punjab CM’s ‘Pro-Khalistani’ Jibe

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has categorically asserted that he would not meet Harjit Sajjan.

Canada Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan is on a trip to India and is set to visit his home village. (Photo: AP)

Adding to the spat between Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan that had kicked off when the former accused the latter of being a “Khalistani sympathiser”, the Indian-born Canadian politician confessed that “ it does hurt” when such allegations are made.

In an interview with NDTV, Harjit Singh said:

I served people who are the men and women in uniform. I’ve served alongside them. They know who I am and I’m not going to let anyone else define who I am for their political reasons. I have earned my recognition. I wear my history on my chest.

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Sajjan – a former Lieutenant Colonel and a war veteran who has also served in Afghanistan – is on a trip to India and is set to visit Amritsar and his birthplace Bombeli in Punjab on 21 and 22 April. As part of his visit, he has already met with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, as well as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Notably, the newly-elected CM of Punjab, Amarinder Singh, had refused to meet the visiting Canadian politician, and in fact, accused five Canadian ministers of having Khalistani allegiances.

When I went to America, and next I was to go to Canada, the Khalistani lobby got together, these Sajjans and the others. I am not going to meet him.

Captain Amarinder Singh to <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/it-does-hurt-says-canadian-defence-minister-accused-of-links-with-khalistan-movement-1683377">NDTV</a>

On the contrary, the Canadian minister had asserted on Tuesday that he would put forward the idea of meeting the Punjab CM, and it is incumbent upon him whether to accept it or not.

(Source: NDTV)