Ludhiana (August 14, 2012): Lawsuit filed by Sikhs for Justice against Punjab chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in Untied States has altered supporters of Badal Dal in Canada. It is learnt that some Non-Resident Indian (NRI) bodies have advised the Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir S. Badal to cancel his forthcoming visit to Canada, following the recent incident of lawsuit against Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal by Sikhs for Justice.
The lawsuit filed in United Sates under Alien Torts Act and Torture Victims Protection Act contends that Parkash S. Badal had shielded police officials who inflicted custodial torture and were responsible for the extra judicial killings and continuous human rights violations against the Sikhs in Punjab.
The lawsuit against Badal seeks jury trial, clearly indicates the anger of Sikh community for appointing tainted police officer Sumedh Singh Saini as Punjab DGP who is on trial for killing and abduction of innocents during militancy.
Vikram JS Bajwa, President of Indian Overseas Congress, CA and Dr Rajwant Singh Dhillon, president of Punjab Canadian Foundation convened a joint meeting of the two organisations, senior members of Badal Dal.
In the meeting, the lawsuit filed by SFJ was discussed at length and it was resolved that Deputy CM should be advised to cancel his Canada visit.
Sukhbir is scheduled to attend a conference to be organised by CIF in Vancouver in the month of September.
The leaders have advised Sukhbir that instead of him the Punjab government should be represented by some senior IAS officer.
They are reported to have urged the Deputy CM to review his decision to visit Canada, keeping in mind the case filed against the Chief Minister in US.
Petitions were regularly filed in US and Canada under torture laws, so Sukhbir can also come under scanner of Canada law.
The joint statement said, “We have to advise the Indian leaders, irrespective of political affiliations, as our responsibility being NRIs to protect India’s interests and respect in the international community. All NRIs and their organisations have a responsibility to act as ambassadors of India.” It is pertinent to mention that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was denied visa by USA, on a
similar petition filed by Muslim League. Punjab’s Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Affairs Minister Balbir Singh Bath has asked officials to immediately respond to the grievances of NRIs.