AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—In view of stiff opposition faced by various SAD (Badal) senior leaders in USA, Canada and other countries, some other party leaders who were scheduled to visit these countries in order to woo the Sikh diaspora have been forced to review their strategy of going abroad. These leaders are now in a dilemma as to whether they should go abroad.
SAD (B) leaders like Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema recognized the fact that their supporters in those countries are in a weak position due to which they might face problems there. Cheema felt that Akali leadership in the West has failed to maintain good relations with the local community.
In addition, party leadership has termed the derogatory statement made by senior Akali leader Sikander Singh Maluka against Canadian police as counter-productive to the interests of the party. Party pattern and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal himself described Maluka’s remark as unfair practice.
As per sources, SAD leaders Balwant Singh Ramuwalia and Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema have planned to leave for Europe and Canada respectively during the current month. However, they have not been able to implement their programme so far.
Dr. Cheema claimed he faces no threat of opposition from anyone in Canada, where he travels yearly. He said that due to recent visits of two Union Ministers to Punjab and other departmental assignments, his visit has been delayed.
On the other hand, Ramuwalia said that his Europe tour had not been cancelled and he is in regular touch with veteran Akalis and Panthik activists residing there. He said that the final date of his flight had not been finalized yet but he would leave for there soon.
“There are many former workers of Lok Bhalai Party (LBP) who have joined SAD (B) along with me. I will go to Europe to end rifts between them and the party”, he said.
It is worth mentioning that the Sikh diaspora opposed SAD (B) leaders for violating the human rights of Sikhs in Punjab and held protests against them during their visit to Canada and USA. Pertinently, Sikh protesters even hurled shoes at Akali leader Tota Singh in Toronto. Including Parkash Badal, various Akali leaders stated that the protesters are “anti-national elements”. Some other leaders termed the protests as “propaganda” by ” a small minority”.
