Tript Bajwa suggests Sidhu to say sorry to martyrs’ families

CHANDIGARH:Punjab rural development minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa on suggested his ministerial colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu to “say sorry” to the families of slain soldiers for upsetting them by hugging the Pakistan army chief.

He said the families of soldiers who died in the line of duty were justified in expressing their displeasure over the cricketerturned-politician’s hug.

“Sidhu sahab is my senior colleague. I cannot dictate him. I can only suggest that he can gracefully say sorry to the families of martyrs who expressed unhappiness (over embracing the Pakistan army chief). I think there is no harm in saying sorry. He is a wonderful person and a senior minister,” Bajwa said.

Sidhu was widely criticised, particularly by the BJP, for hugging the Pakistan army chief during his visit to Pakistan to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

However, Bajwa said: “A friend had invited a friend” and there was no “crime” in Sidhu going to attend the ceremony in Islamabad.

The statement by the senior minister comes after chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh ticked off Sidhu for hugging Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

On Tuesday, Sidhu had defended hugging Pakistan’s army chief in Islamabad, and had slammed the BJP’s “double standards”, reminding it of peace visits to Pakistan by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.

He had said hugging Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at the swearing-in was an “emotional response” on learning that Sikh pilgrims might be allowed to visit the Kartarpur shrine across the border.