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

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.”

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.

Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab 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.”