Congress and BJP unite in Punjab with fiery response to Nijjar row, Akali Dal more measured

New Delhi: Bitter rivals BJP and Congress rarely agree on anything, but the rising diplomatic tensions between India and Canada over the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar has got them on the same page.

This unity is particularly evident in Punjab, where the BJP is rallying all state parties to support the central government’s diplomatic stance on Canada. Punjab, notably, has strong ties with Canada, where around 2.6 percent of the population is of Punjabi origin.

“We know that 9 lakh Punjabis live in Canada and a significant number of students are there too. But we also recognise the weak position of the Canadian Prime Minister and the growing political instability in Canada. In this context, India must adopt a muscular diplomatic position to safeguard its interests,” said a BJP leader, speaking to ThePrint.

Congress leaders from Punjab have also criticised Trudeau for pandering to Khalistani extremists. For instance, speaking in the Lok Sabha Thursday, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Congress MP from Ludhiana, said that the Trudeau government was sheltering pro-Khalistan separatists.

“Our foreign policy from Jawaharlal Nehru to PM Narendra Modi ji has been of non-alignment. The Congress has also taken a strong stance on what the Canadian PM has said,” he added.

However, the Akali Dal, which lost support in the Sikh constituency in the last state elections, is taking a more measured stance, primarily focused on the concerns of people living in Canada.

Friday, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar told mediapersons that the Canadian government had “mortgaged” its foreign policy for separatists.

“If the Trudeau government continues to support separatist forces, the Indian government’s decision to suspend visa services is timely. India’s sovereignty and integrity are more important than the concerns of individuals facing temporary challenges,” he said.

Jakhar also said that India does not believe in extrajudicial actions, adding: “We are capable of going after terrorists, as we did in the 2019 airstrike, but not in any clandestine manner anywhere as has been alleged.”

Former Punjab Chief Minister and BJP national executive member Amarinder Singh also did not hold back in a statement issued earlier this week. He alleged that Trudeau walked into a trap owing to vote bank politics and put at stake the diplomatic relationship between India and Canada.

“The Trudeau administration in Canada has given a free hand to anti-India forces to operate in the country. Has the Canadian government taken any action against the culprit who attacked the Indian mission there?” Amarinder asked.

Also Read: ‘Plumber’ to ‘terrorist’ — who was Hardeep Nijjar, Khalistan Tiger Force chief shot dead in Canada

Opposition voices unite

Opposition parliamentarians from across the political spectrum have aligned with the government during the diplomatic flare-up with Canada.

Congress MP Bittu launched into a tirade in the Lok Sabha Thursday against the Canadian government’s alleged support of Khalistan extremists. He went as far as to say that India can carry out a “surgical strike” in Cananda against extremists like Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a leader of the banned outfit ‘Sikhs For Justice’.

“Khalistani terrorists are residing in Canada; they are involved in the drug trade in Punjab. Eight of the most wanted terrorists, according to the Punjab government, are sitting in Canada. Trudeau is receiving funding from them, and money generated from the drug trade is going to Trudeau,” Bittu alleged.

The Congress leader praised the tough stance taken by the Ministry of External Affairs.

“India has taken an independent stance during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Many players cannot digest India’s rising stance. Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in a clash among drug dealers, but the Canadian Prime Minister blamed Indian agencies for his death. During his father’s tenure, the Kanishka bombing occurred, and its investigation is still pending,” he said.

Bittu also referred to a malfunction in Trudeau’s plane that delayed his departure from India after the G20 summit earlier this month.

“What is India’s fault if the Canadian Prime Minister’s plane was grounded?” he asked.

Even Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Bhartruhari Mahtab interrupted to say that India had offered a plane to Trudeau, but he declined to use it.

During the debate, other MPs also criticised the Canadian Prime Minister for blaming India and provoking bilateral tensions, including Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference and  Malook Nagar of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

“This is Canada’s jealousy that is reflected in its actions. Canada is advising its citizens not to visit Jammu and Kashmir, which is peaceful. This advice stems from jealousy,” Nagar said.

 Muted reaction from Akali Dal

The Akali Dal’s response has not been as bombastic as that of other opposition leaders. Party president Sukhbir Badal met with the Home Minister Thursday and sought a resolution to the standoff, taking into account the concerns of the Sikh constituency, which has strong family ties with people living in Canada.

“I have requested the Home Minister to intervene, as I am receiving hundreds of calls from distressed families concerned about their safety and future in the country. There is panic, and both governments should find a solution as soon as possible,” he told mediapersons after the meeting.

Another Akali Dal leader, Vikram Majithia, said that the row was “most unfortunate” and could have a ripple effect on Indian citizens.

“Stopping visas for Canadian nationals will strain ties further and create problems for lakhs of Indians, including a large number of Punjabis who have settled in Canada and are now Canadian citizens. I urge the governments of both nations to resolve the issue amicably through dialogue. This is the only way out,” he said.

Notably, even Bittu wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, requesting him to personally intervene in the matter for the sake of Indians currently in Canada.

“Over six lakh Indian students are currently studying in Canada… increased diplomatic tensions might lead to delays or complications in visa processing for Indian students adversely affecting those who plan to study in Canada or those seeking visa extensions,” he wrote in the 20 September letter.

In his letter, he also said that Canada might retaliate by introducing stricter immigration policies for Indians. Further, he wrote, the fracas could lead to backlash against students. “This may also create social discomfort for Indian students, potentially affecting their overall well-being and sense of security in Canada.”

The BJP leader quoted earlier agreed that such concerns were taken into account. “Given the diplomatic consequences and the safety of Indians living in Canada, such rhetoric cannot continue for an extended period, he said. “But it is important for the Indian government to maintain a firm stance to defend its integrity and sovereignty.”

(Edited by Asavari Singh)

Also Read: Young Punjabis fear Canada education unlikely now, immigration firms feel student visas won’t be hit