NEW DELHI – A controversy erupted after Atwal, Sikh separatist convicted ofattempting to murder of Punjab minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu in Vancouver in1986, was invited to an event that was held in Mumbai where Canada PMJustin Trudeau was present.
Atwal was photographed at the event alongside Trudeau’s wife SophieGregoire, according to Canada`s public broadcaster CBC.
The Canadian embassy rescinded his invitation but refused to comment onwhether Atwal was part of Trudeau’s official delegation. “We do not commenton matters relating to the PM’s security,” it said.
Atwal was a member of the International Sikh Youth Federation, anorganisation outlawed in India and Canada, among other places, that seeksan independent Sikh state of Khalistan.
Meanwhile, Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Randeep S Sarai has takenresponsibility for inviting the pro-Khalistani terrorist to Prime MinisterTrudeau’s reception dinner in New Delhi, which is scheduled to take placeon Thursday.
“I alone facilitated his request to attend this important event. I shouldhave exercised better judgment, and I take full responsibility for myactions,” Sarai said in a statement, which Canadian journalist AbigailBimman shared on Twitter.
The Canadian journalist further added that Trudeau said Sarai “has andwill” take responsibility for inviting Atwal, adding that, Sarai will notbe kicked out of caucus.
The Ministry of External Affairs, on the other hand, is trying to ascertainhow a visa was issued to the Khalistani terrorist.
“Let us not presume things and decide how he managed to come. This issomething which we are trying to find out. In due course we will be able tocome up with a reason that how he managed to come in India,” ministryspokesman Raveesh Kumar said.