Sikh bodies to honour Canadian defence minister

Even as Punjab chief minister has dubbed Canadian defence minister Harjit Singh Sajjan as pro-Khalistani and has refused to meet him during his India tour, Sikh bodies, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and radical outfits Damdami Taksal and Dal Khalsa have decided to honour the visiting dignitary.

“It will be a proud moment for all Sikhs in Punjab and across the globe when the SGPC will honour the Canadian minister at the Golden Temple on April 20,” said SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar after inaugurating a dispensary in Patiala on Sunday. “Sajjan, being a Sikh, has done commendable services to the community in Canada and he deserved to be honoured as per the SGPC tradition,” said Badungar.

The SGPC has received official information about Sajjan’s visit and he will be presented with a “siropa” (robe of honour), shawl, sword, model of the Golden Temple, and religious books in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple.

Reacting to Amarinder’s statement against Sajjan, Badungar said: “It’s a political view. But SGPC is a religious body and will stick to its tradition of honouring dignitaries who visit the Golden Temple.”

The DSGMC and Dal Khalsa have written to the Canadian high commission in Delhi seeking time to honour the Canadian minister during his weeklong visit to India, beginning Monday (April 17).