Amarinder Singh asked deputy Punab’s chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal not to condemn the people protesting against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)

Former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh asked deputy Punab’s chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal not to condemn the people protesting against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) delegation in Canada and the US as anti-national.“This is unbecoming of the president of the Akali Dal, a party that claims to represent and watch Sikh interests, to damn an entire community as anti-national just because they are critical of you and your party,” he told Sukhbir in a statement.

Amarinder advised Sukhbir and his father, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, to introspect why there was so much anger and outrage against them and their party, “not only in foreign countries but also back home”. Attack by Capt Amarinder Singh came after visiting Akali minister Sikander Singh Maluka faced flak from Defence Minister Jason Kenney. Maluka had criticised the Canadian police during an attack at a meeting at Abottsfod. As per a Sikh Sayasat News that hosted the story, Jason Kenney is reported to have reacted by saying, “ Go home and deal with the serious problem of drug crime that is tearing up many aspects of Punjabi society, may be they should deal with God knows. I sat down with Chief Minister Badal Singh on multiple occasions and pleaded to him to have the Punjabi state authorities and officials to work with counsellor to crack down on the industry of the unscrupulous and fraudulent immigration agents who exploit Punjabi’s wanting to come to Canada”.

Pointing out that the Akalis were facing protests even in Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh said: “Do you mean that everybody is anti-national just because they are showing you the mirror?” The Congress leader regretted that instead of addressing the protesters’ alienation, Sukhbir had made “a highly irresponsible statement that does no good to anyone and will create more bitterness”. “Better give up your arrogance and learn to respect the sentiments of people,” he advised the deputy CM. “They are our own people, not anti-nationals as you are trying to brand them,” he told Sukhbir, even asking him: “Why only the Akalis associated with the Badals are facing so many protests? Why don’t leaders from the other parties who also visit these countries faces such protests?” Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa too slammed Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal asserting that he has no moral authority to question their loyalty.”It is ironic that you have come to this level to attack those questioning the open loot of Punjab by you and your family members, and non-governance and mismanagement as anti-national rather than satisfying their queries,” Bajwa said. “The hostile reception your ministers are getting in these countries is a mirror reflection of the anti-Akali sentiment in Punjab,” Bajwa added.