Canadian minister Harjit Sajjan reaches Punjab

Amritsar , Apr 19:  Canadian defence minister Harjit Singh Sajjan landed at Sree Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport at Rajasansi in Amritsar around 6 pm on Wednesday. On his first visit to native Punjab after becoming a minister in Canada, Sajjan is to be in the state for April 21 and 22, during which he is to visit the Golden Temple and also his native village Bambeli, 15 km from Hoshiarpur.

At the airport, a deputy commissioner of police led the welcome party, while some radical Sikh organisation members — standing in solidarity with Sajjan who has been dubbed a “Khalistani sympathiser” by Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh — also raised slogans upon his arrival. The radicals were not allowed to meet him, though.

Meanwhile, Bambeli is agog with excitement. Notwithstanding the controversy generated by Amarinder, who has refused to meet him, the villagers are gearing up to accord a rousing welcome to the visiting dignitary.

Though Sajjan’s father Kundan Singh visits their native village every two years, local residents have been eagerly awaiting Harjit’s trip back home. The moment has finally arrived and the son of the soil is expected to visit his home and meet his childhood acquaintances on Thursday evening.