AMRITSAR: Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by Sikh radicals who clashed with SGPC task force volunteers outside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar during Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan's visit. The protestors, members of the Shiromani Akali Dal and other radical organisations, demonstrated with posters, banners, and placards condemning the state government.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee task force members stopped them from coming close to the visiting Minister, who completely avoided the demonstrators and offered prayers at the Harmandir Sahib. Sajjn was received by top SGPC functionaries, including its president Kirpal Singh Badungar, to a red carpet welcome. He reportedly remained there for over an hour. The committee made sure none of the radical elements created any nuisance inside the shrine complex.
Sajjan offered prayers inside the sanctum sanctorum, listened to hymns, took a 'parikrama' and sat inside for a while. He was later honoured with a siropa, by the SGPC and presented a replica of the Golden Temple and a sword. The first Sikh to become a Defence Minister of a western country, Sajjan has recently been shrouded with controversy with him being labelled as 'Khalistani sympathiser' by CM Amarinder Singh.
Sajjan was received at the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International airport by the district administration officers, where members of several radical groups were present with banners to welcome him. CM Amrinder had stated last week that he would not meet the visiting Canadian minister due to his connection with radical elements demanding for a separate Sikh state.
