Atwal row: Opposition demands proof of Canada PM Trudeau's aide's allegations
Ottawa/Toronto, Mar 1 (IBNS): The Opposition has sharply reacted to the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's aide over the invitation of convicted pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to India, media reports said.
Trudeau's national security adviser reportedly said some Indian government officials had invited Atwal to sabotage the Canada PM's India visit.
The Conservatives, standing by India, have demanded proofs from the Trudeau government to substantiate such claims.
Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer called the allegations "bizzare".
Defending his adviser, Trudeau said: "When one of our top diplomats and security officials says something to Canadians, it is because they know it to be true."
In response to the allegations, the Opposition is scheduled to move a motion on Thursday.
The motion has been quoted by The Times Of India, "That the House: (a) values the contributions of Canadian Sikhs and Canadians of Indian origin in our national life; (b)Condemn in the strongest terms all forms of terrorism, including Khalistani extremism and the glorification of any individuals who have committed acts of violence to advance the cause of an independent Khalistani state in India; and (c) Stand with a united India."
However the claims made by Trudeau's aide has been rubbished by Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
In a statement on Wednesday, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: “We have seen the recent exchange in the Parliament of Canada regarding two invitations issued to Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commissioner, for functions hosted in honour of the Canadian Prime Minister in India."
"Let me categorically state that the Government of India, including the security agencies, had nothing to do with the presence of Jaspal Atwal at the event hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner in Mumbai or the invitation issued to him for the Canadian High Commissioner's reception in New Delhi. Any suggestion to the contrary is baseless and unacceptable.”
Atwal was convicted in Canada for attempting the murder of then-Punjab minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu on Vancouver Island in 1986.
Atwal's invitation to the dinner hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner in India on Thursday came as an embarrassment for Trudeau as he had ensured Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh of Canada's distance from all those who are allegedly involved with the Sikh separatist movement.
Trudeau has also promised to take actions against all who want the Indian state of Punjab to be a separate country, named Khalistan.
As a damage control, the invitation to Atwal was later rescinded.
The Canadian Prime Minister has said that he will take action against the "person responsible" for inviting Atwal.
"We take this very seriously. The individual in question should have never received an invitation. The person and department responsible will take full responsibility for his actions," Trudeau said.
Atwal is reportedly a former member of the International Sikh Youth Federation, a banned 'terrorist’ group in Canada, the UK, the US and India.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
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