Canada-based Sikh group announces $10,000 reward for serving summons to Punjab CM in defamation suit; Sikh groups in Punjab criticise CM for one-sided attack on Sajjan
Sikh Human rights Advocacy group has filed a defamation suit against the Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for alleging ISI links to the group.
Captain Amarinder had recently sparked a controversy after he refused to meet Canada Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan alleging that he was among the five "Khalistani sympathisers" in the Canadian government. The Congress leader came under attack from various Sikh extremist groups over his statement. The groups alleged that the CM was addressing his personal grouse against Sajjan for stalling his visit to Canada last year.
Hours after Sajjan reached Delhi, a Canada-based Sikh Human Rights Advocacy group, Sikh For Justice (SFJ) announced a reward of $10,000 to anyone who would serve the summon to CM. Claiming damage of $1 million, the defamation suit was filed in Ontario's Superior Court of Justice against Captain Amarinder who had alleged that the Sikh human rights group had links with the ISI in Pakistan.
The group issued a statement that CM's remarks had caused reputational damage to SFJ's status as a non-profit organisation and hindered its ability to address issues of Sikh community in Canada. SFJ had earlier got the summon issued for Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi for shielding leaders allegedly involved in instigating 1984 riots. However, various efforts by the group to legally implicate senior leaders in the past have been largely unsuccessful as the summons need to be personally served to initiate any legal action.
Several Sikh extremist groups condemned the CM's remarks and rebuffed him for a one-sided attack and insinuating an unwarranted controversy. Dal Khalsa Chief HS Cheema alleged that it was an attempt on CM's part to please the Hindu vote bank which voted for him in the elections.
The Canadian Minister is slated to visit Golden Temple in Amritsar and meet his family members in Hoshiarpur. It is Sajjan's first visit to Punjab after being elected as the Minister of Defence, Canada. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which is the highest temporal body for Sikhs, has announced to honour the Canadian Minister. Other Sikh groups, including Dal Khalsa, also expressed interest in honoring the leader.
Sajjan is also slated to inaugurate the Canadian's Consulate General's new office in Chandigarh on April 21.
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 "Dal Khalsa chief HS Cheema and (R) Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Kaur")
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