Hours after Canada’s foreign ministry conveyed its disapproval of Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh’s plans to hold political meetings in Toronto and Vancouver, a Sikh group has filed complaints with Canadian agencies over his visit.
The pro-Khalistan Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (Canada East) has asked Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canadian Border Security Agency to examine Singh’s application for a Canadian visa.
In a statement, its president Sukhminder Singh Hansra said, “Had Captain Amrinder Singh stated the purpose, which was/is to drum up political support or fund-raising for his party for 2017 Punjab election, the visa officer would have refused visitor visa, because Canada does not allow any foreign political party to hold a election rally in Canada.”
While the Indian Overseas Congress’ Canadian unit has stressed no fund-raising activity was ever on the agenda, Singh’s meetings in Toronto and Vancouver were related to the Punjab Assembly elections due next year.
Two key events that were scheduled, including a meeting in Toronto on Saturday, were cancelled after the Canadian government sent a letter to India’s high commissioner Vishnu Prakash. The contents of the letter were communicated by the foreign secretary to Singh, currently in Chicago.
In its complaints, Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar called on Canadian agencies handling the entry of foreigners to ascertain the details of Singh’s visa application before allowing him into the country.
{{/usCountry}}In its complaints, Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar called on Canadian agencies handling the entry of foreigners to ascertain the details of Singh’s visa application before allowing him into the country.
{{/usCountry}}In an emailed complaint to IRCC, the group claimed Singh’s “arrival is causing concerns in the Sikh community. There might be a protest on Saturday at the event.”