AMRITSAR: Indian lawmaker HS Phoolka has alleged that the “cold shouldertreatment” given to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during hisweeklong India visit had not only revived the Khakistan movement but hasalso endangered the prospects of Punjabis migrating to Canada, Times ofIndia has reported.

Senior advocate Phoolka said that the lukewarm welcome to Trudeau has notonly internationalized the Khalistan issue but its repercussion couldreflect on the prospects of large number of Punjabis moving to Canada everyyear.

The manner in which the government handled this, today Khalistan issue isbeing talked about at international level. In the past, this issue hasnever got this much publicity,” said Phoolka in a press release issued hereon Saturday.

The Dakha MLA informed that he had moved a resolution in the Punjabassembly proposing that the House should thank people and government ofCanada for providing home-like atmosphere to people of Indian-origin inCanada.

“This resolution has been filed in the office of the assembly on March 1,and will be taken up in next session of assembly,” he said, adding that hehad also proposed that the assembly should pass a recommendation to Punjabgovernment to accord due respect to any high official or minister of Canadavisiting the state.

He alleged that due to ‘unthoughtful’ action of Punjab government that ithad endangered prospects of about 80,000 to 90,000 Punjabis migrating toCanada every year. He claimed 40,000-50,000 youth from Punjab go to Canadaevery year on study visa and equal number go on other visas.

“Canada is a superpower today and can help Punjab in the fields ofeducation, health, farming and environment. Punjab has lost thisopportunity,” he said while questioning the government to explain in theHouse why it had caused such a great damage.