Breaking News: Justin Trudeau office blamed for inviting Jaspal Atwal to India during his visit

An invitation to a Khalistani supporter by the Canadians had soured ties between India and Canada. Now, it turns out that Canada's prime minister's office had extended this invite.&nbsp;

This revelation comes from a report by the national security and intelligence committee of parliamentarians in Canada. WION has accessed a copy of this report.&nbsp;

The report says that the Canadian Prime Minister Office had invited Jaspal Atwal --- a man who was convicted of attempting to assassinate a Punjab minister.

The report goes on to say that the prime minister's office should have a done a better job of screening the invitees.&nbsp;

An invitation to a Khalistani supporter by the Canadians had soured ties between India and Canada. Now, it turns out that Canada's prime minister's office had extended this invite.

An invitation to a Khalistani supporter by the Canadians had soured ties between India and Canada. Now, it turns out that Canada's prime minister's office had extended this invite. This revelation comes from a report by the national security and intelligence committee of parliamentarians in Canada. WION has accessed a copy of this report. The report says that the Canadian Prime Minister Office had invited Jaspal Atwal --- a man who was convicted of attempting to assassinate a Punjab minister. The report goes on to say that the prime minister's office should have a done a better job of screening the invitees.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's disastrous India visit comes back to haunt him

A former Sikh militant apologised today for causing embarrassment to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his trip to India.

Jaspal Atwal, who was part of a movement that supported an independent Sikh nation in the 1980s and went to prison for the attempted murder of a visiting Indian minister in 1986, was invited to a dinner with Trudeau in New Delhi causing consternation among his hosts.

Trudeau&#39;s visit to India had already been dogged by suspicions that Canada was soft on Sikh separatists.

&quot;I am sorry for any embarrassment this matter has caused to Canada, India, my community and my family,&quot; the 62-year-old told a news conference.

&quot;I renounce any form of terrorism,&quot; he said. &quot;I do not advocate for an independent Sikh nation. I, like the vast majority of Sikhs who once advocated for this cause, have reconciled with the nation of India.&quot;

Since his parole, Atwal said he has engaged broadly in politics on behalf of the Indo-Canadian community, and visited India numerous times including three visits over the past year, each time &quot;with the full permission of the Indian government.&quot;

&quot;There were also no restrictions placed on me by Canada so that I could not travel,&quot; he added.

Before his latest trip, Atwal said he reached out to his local member of Parliament, Randeep Sarai, to ask if he could attend a reception with Trudeau in India.

&quot;I had assumed there would be no problems. No one had at any point indicated there would be any issues,&quot; he said.

The controversy has continued to hound Trudeau since his return to Canada, with opposition parties and editorialists heaping scorn on the prime minister over the misstep.

Sarai, meanwhile, has been stripped of his responsibilities within the Liberal caucus.&nbsp;

Jaspal Atwal who went to prison for the attempted murder of a visiting Indian minister in 1986, was invited to a dinner with Trudeau in New Delhi causing consternation among his hosts

A former Sikh militant apologised today for causing embarrassment to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his trip to India. Jaspal Atwal, who was part of a movement that supported an independent Sikh nation in the 1980s and went to prison for the attempted murder of a visiting Indian minister in 1986, was invited to a dinner with Trudeau in New Delhi causing consternation among his hosts. Trudeau's visit to India had already been dogged by suspicions that Canada was soft on Sikh separatists. "I am sorry for any embarrassment this matter has caused to Canada, India, my community and my family," the 62-year-old told a news conference. "I renounce any form of terrorism," he said. "I do not advocate for an independent Sikh nation. I, like the vast majority of Sikhs who once advocated for this cause, have reconciled with the nation of India." Since his parole, Atwal said he has engaged broadly in politics on behalf of the Indo-Canadian community, and visited India numerous times including three visits over the past year, each time "with the full permission of the Indian government." "There were also no restrictions placed on me by Canada so that I could not travel," he added. Before his latest trip, Atwal said he reached out to his local member of Parliament, Randeep Sarai, to ask if he could attend a reception with Trudeau in India. "I had assumed there would be no problems. No one had at any point indicated there would be any issues," he said. The controversy has continued to hound Trudeau since his return to Canada, with opposition parties and editorialists heaping scorn on the prime minister over the misstep. Sarai, meanwhile, has been stripped of his responsibilities within the Liberal caucus.

Former Sikh militant sorry for Trudeau embarrassment in India

Canada&#39;s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced persistent criticism Thursday over a convicted Sikh extremist&#39;s attendance at a Canadian event in Mumbai, nearly a week after the premier&#39;s return from a trip to India.

Opposition parties and editorialists heaped scorn on the prime minister and his Liberal government over the &quot;fiasco&quot; that dogged Trudeau during his first official visit to India to drum up trade and investment.

Canadian-Indian businessman Jaspal Atwal was sentenced in Canada to 20 years in prison for a 1986 assassination attempt on an Indian politician, as part of a violent campaign to establish an independent Sikh state of Khalistan.

Yet, he managed to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-cancels-dinner-invite-to-convicted-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33681" target="_blank">get himself invited</a> to the Mumbai mixer as well as one to a dinner with Trudeau, which was rescinded at the last minute when Canadian media pointed out Atwal&#39;s criminal past.

Trudeau dodged questions about the scandal, saying that a senior member of his caucus had mistakenly extended the invitation.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadians-surprised-trudeaus-reception-hasnt-been-welcoming-33701" target="_blank">&#39;Canadians surprised Trudeau&#39;s reception hasn&#39;t been welcoming&#39;</a>

Later, he defended his national security advisor who floated a theory that rogue political factions in India orchestrated the embarrassing invitation in order to make Canada appear sympathetic to Sikh extremism.

Trudeau has said he does not support Sikh extremists, despite appearing in several photographs with Atwal published by Canadian media -- while New Delhi has rejected the conspiracy theory put forward by Trudeau&#39;s top intelligence official.

In Montreal on Thursday, Trudeau repeated lines that he had rehearsed in parliament the day before: that he has &quot;full confidence in Canada&#39;s national security agencies&quot; and &quot;when security officials say something to Canadians, it&#39;s because they know it to be true.&quot;

Canadian Sikhs number nearly 500,000 and account for roughly 1.4 percent of Canada&#39;s population, according to a 2016 census.

A handful of Canadian supporters of the Sikh nationalist movement were accused in the 1985 Air India bombings that killed 331 people, but only one person was ever convicted in the attack.

The movement was crushed in the 1990s.

Ujjal Dosanjh, a prominent moderate Sikh and a former Canadian Liberal minister, told AFP last week: &quot;The movement was all but dead, but it has resurfaced in Canada in the last few years partly because Canadian politicians have been careless in associating with these people.&quot;

Jaspal Atwal was convicted on terror charges but managed to get himself invited to a dinner hosted by the Canadian high commission in New Delhi

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced persistent criticism Thursday over a convicted Sikh extremist's attendance at a Canadian event in Mumbai, nearly a week after the premier's return from a trip to India. Opposition parties and editorialists heaped scorn on the prime minister and his Liberal government over the "fiasco" that dogged Trudeau during his first official visit to India to drum up trade and investment. Canadian-Indian businessman Jaspal Atwal was sentenced in Canada to 20 years in prison for a 1986 assassination attempt on an Indian politician, as part of a violent campaign to establish an independent Sikh state of Khalistan. Yet, he managed to get himself invited to the Mumbai mixer as well as one to a dinner with Trudeau, which was rescinded at the last minute when Canadian media pointed out Atwal's criminal past. Trudeau dodged questions about the scandal, saying that a senior member of his caucus had mistakenly extended the invitation. Also read: 'Canadians surprised Trudeau's reception hasn't been welcoming' Later, he defended his national security advisor who floated a theory that rogue political factions in India orchestrated the embarrassing invitation in order to make Canada appear sympathetic to Sikh extremism. Trudeau has said he does not support Sikh extremists, despite appearing in several photographs with Atwal published by Canadian media -- while New Delhi has rejected the conspiracy theory put forward by Trudeau's top intelligence official. In Montreal on Thursday, Trudeau repeated lines that he had rehearsed in parliament the day before: that he has "full confidence in Canada's national security agencies" and "when security officials say something to Canadians, it's because they know it to be true." Canadian Sikhs number nearly 500,000 and account for roughly 1.4 percent of Canada's population, according to a 2016 census. A handful of Canadian supporters of the Sikh nationalist movement were accused in the 1985 Air India bombings that killed 331 people, but only one person was ever convicted in the attack. The movement was crushed in the 1990s. Ujjal Dosanjh, a prominent moderate Sikh and a former Canadian Liberal minister, told AFP last week: "The movement was all but dead, but it has resurfaced in Canada in the last few years partly because Canadian politicians have been careless in associating with these people."

Khalistan terrorist 'fiasco' follows Trudeau back to Canada

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has ruled out any involvement of the government or the security agencies with Jaspal Atwal&#39;s presence at the event hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner in Mumbai.&nbsp;

&quot;The government of India, including security agencies, had nothing to do with the presence of Jaspal Atwal at the event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner in Mumbai or invitation issued to him for Canadian High Commissioner&#39;s reception in Delhi,&quot; noted the official statement.&nbsp;

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GoI, including security agencies, had nothing to do with presence of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JaspalAtwal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JaspalAtwal</a> at event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner in Mumbai or invitation issued to him for Canadian High Commissioner&#39;s reception in Delhi. Any suggestion to the contrary is baseless &amp;unacceptable: MEA
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968764104021303297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The MEA also noted &quot;any suggestion to the contrary&quot; as &quot;baseless and unacceptable&quot;.

&quot;We have seen the recent exchange in the Parliament of Canada regarding two invitations issued to Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commissioner, for functions hosted in honour of the Canadian Prime Minister in India,&quot; MEA statement noted.

Pro-Khalistan terrorist Jaspal Atwal was invited to dine with Prime Minister Trudeau at a formal event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel. The invite was later rescinded.

Prime Minister Trudeau also received backlash over his wife Sophie Trudeau&#39;s photo with convicted pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal.

Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Randeep S. Sarai took the responsibility for inviting Atwal to Trudeau&#39;s reception dinner in New Delhi. He apologised for the same.&nbsp;

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I want to again apologize for my role in recent unfortunate events. Moving forward, I will be exercising better judgment. As I don&#39;t want to distract from the good work of the Pacific Caucus, I will be stepping down as caucus chair.
&mdash; Randeep S. Sarai (@randeepssarai) <a href="https://twitter.com/randeepssarai/status/968662787491680256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The MEA&#39;s reaction came shortly after&nbsp;the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau supported the official who suggested the &quot;rogue Indian elements&quot; theory.

&quot;When one of our top diplomats and security officials says something to Canadians, it&#39;s because they know it to be true,&quot; Trudeau noted in the Canadian Parliament yesterday.&nbsp;

According to reports, a&nbsp;Canadian official allegedly accused people within the Indian government to have orchestrated Atwal&#39;s invitation.

Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

MEA's reaction came shortly after the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau supported the official who suggested the "rogue Indian elements" theory

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has ruled out any involvement of the government or the security agencies with Jaspal Atwal's presence at the event hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner in Mumbai. "The government of India, including security agencies, had nothing to do with the presence of Jaspal Atwal at the event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner in Mumbai or invitation issued to him for Canadian High Commissioner's reception in Delhi," noted the official statement. GoI, including security agencies, had nothing to do with presence of #JaspalAtwal at event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner in Mumbai or invitation issued to him for Canadian High Commissioner's reception in Delhi. Any suggestion to the contrary is baseless &unacceptable: MEA — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2018 × The MEA also noted "any suggestion to the contrary" as "baseless and unacceptable". "We have seen the recent exchange in the Parliament of Canada regarding two invitations issued to Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commissioner, for functions hosted in honour of the Canadian Prime Minister in India," MEA statement noted. Pro-Khalistan terrorist Jaspal Atwal was invited to dine with Prime Minister Trudeau at a formal event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel. The invite was later rescinded. Prime Minister Trudeau also received backlash over his wife Sophie Trudeau's photo with convicted pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal. Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Randeep S. Sarai took the responsibility for inviting Atwal to Trudeau's reception dinner in New Delhi. He apologised for the same. I want to again apologize for my role in recent unfortunate events. Moving forward, I will be exercising better judgment. As I don't want to distract from the good work of the Pacific Caucus, I will be stepping down as caucus chair. — Randeep S. Sarai (@randeepssarai) February 28, 2018 × The MEA's reaction came shortly after the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau supported the official who suggested the "rogue Indian elements" theory. "When one of our top diplomats and security officials says something to Canadians, it's because they know it to be true," Trudeau noted in the Canadian Parliament yesterday. According to reports, a Canadian official allegedly accused people within the Indian government to have orchestrated Atwal's invitation. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. (With inputs from ANI)

Indian govt rules out involvement in Jaspal Atwal's presence at Trudeau's event

Amidst questions over invitation of Khalistani terrorist for Justin Trudeau&#39;s reception in India, reports have emerged that the Indian Government authority was also denied access to the guest list, reports CTV News.

On that note, the Prime Minister&#39;s Office in Canada does not allow even the security services to track their guest list.

Earlier, Canada&#39;s Public Safety Minister hailed the security services in relation to the visit.

Opinion: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-khalistan-is-history-amarinder-singh-should-state-to-trudeau-33592" target="_blank">Khalistan is history, Amarinder Singh should state to Trudeau</a>

&quot;All Canadians can be assured that our police and our security agencies have done their job in relation to this visit and they have done it very well&quot;, said Ralph Goodale, Canada&#39;s Public Safety Minister, in the assembly, as quoted by CTV News.

Pro-Khalistan&nbsp;terrorist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-cancels-dinner-invite-to-convicted-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33681" target="_blank">Jaspal Atwal was invited to dine</a> with Prime Minister Trudeau at a formal event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel. The invite was later rescinded.

Prime Minister Trudeau also received backlash over his wife Sophie Trudeau&#39;s photo with convicted pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal.

Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Randeep S. Sarai however took responsibility for inviting Atwal to Trudeau&#39;s reception dinner in New Delhi.

Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. (ANI)

Pro-Khalistan terrorist Jaspal Atwal was invited to dine with Prime Minister Trudeau at a formal event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel. The invite was later rescinded

Amidst questions over invitation of Khalistani terrorist for Justin Trudeau's reception in India, reports have emerged that the Indian Government authority was also denied access to the guest list, reports CTV News. On that note, the Prime Minister's Office in Canada does not allow even the security services to track their guest list. Earlier, Canada's Public Safety Minister hailed the security services in relation to the visit. Opinion: Khalistan is history, Amarinder Singh should state to Trudeau "All Canadians can be assured that our police and our security agencies have done their job in relation to this visit and they have done it very well", said Ralph Goodale, Canada's Public Safety Minister, in the assembly, as quoted by CTV News. Pro-Khalistan terrorist Jaspal Atwal was invited to dine with Prime Minister Trudeau at a formal event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel. The invite was later rescinded. Prime Minister Trudeau also received backlash over his wife Sophie Trudeau's photo with convicted pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal. Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Randeep S. Sarai however took responsibility for inviting Atwal to Trudeau's reception dinner in New Delhi. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. (ANI)

Indian government was denied access to guest list for Trudeau's reception

The name of Jaspal Atwal, the Khalistani separatist whose dinner invitation by Canada&#39;s visiting PM Justin Trudeau was cancelled amidst a flurry of red-faced apologies, may have been removed from home ministry&#39;s &#39;blacklist&#39; of Sikh extremists several months ago, said Home Ministry sources. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
New Delhi officials reportedly believed Atwal was no threat and de-listed him in 2017. The Sikh separatist was charged with attacking a moderate Punjab politician in Canada and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He belongs to the banned Sikh terrorist group, Khalistani.

Toronto Star quoting Canadian officials stated that Atwal was well-connected in India and was close to Indian diplomats at New Delhi&#39;s consulate in Vancouver and in India.

The report goes on to suggest that the Indian government seems to have come to a conclusion that Jaspal Atwal no longer espoused Sikh separatism.&nbsp;

Photographs of Atwal greeting the PM&#39;s wife Sophie Trudeau and an accompanying minister plunged the visiting Canadian delegation in embarrassment. Things only worsened, when an invitation to Jaspal Atwal from PM Trudeau for dinner at the highly-guarded Canada House in Delhi went viral on social media. Though invitation was hastily withdrawn amidst uproar, the Canadian PM&#39;s week-long trip to India will be remembered for the gaffe for a long time to come.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Toronto Star quoting Canadian officials stated that Atwal was well-connected in India and was close to Indian diplomats at New Delhi's consulate in Vancouver and in India.

The name of Jaspal Atwal, the Khalistani separatist whose dinner invitation by Canada's visiting PM Justin Trudeau was cancelled amidst a flurry of red-faced apologies, may have been removed from home ministry's 'blacklist' of Sikh extremists several months ago, said Home Ministry sources. New Delhi officials reportedly believed Atwal was no threat and de-listed him in 2017. The Sikh separatist was charged with attacking a moderate Punjab politician in Canada and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He belongs to the banned Sikh terrorist group, Khalistani. Toronto Star quoting Canadian officials stated that Atwal was well-connected in India and was close to Indian diplomats at New Delhi's consulate in Vancouver and in India. The report goes on to suggest that the Indian government seems to have come to a conclusion that Jaspal Atwal no longer espoused Sikh separatism. Photographs of Atwal greeting the PM's wife Sophie Trudeau and an accompanying minister plunged the visiting Canadian delegation in embarrassment. Things only worsened, when an invitation to Jaspal Atwal from PM Trudeau for dinner at the highly-guarded Canada House in Delhi went viral on social media. Though invitation was hastily withdrawn amidst uproar, the Canadian PM's week-long trip to India will be remembered for the gaffe for a long time to come.

Jaspal Atwal's name was removed from MHA's blacklist of Sikh extremists months ago: Sources

Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not talk about Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal during their meeting.

&quot;We did not talk about Jaspal Atwal,&quot; the Canadian prime minister said when asked whether he spoke to PM Modi about Jaspal Atwal whose dinner invitation by Canada&#39;s visiting PM Justin Trudeau was cancelled after an uproar.

Justin Trudeau said the dinner invite to the Khalistani terrorist was &#39;unacceptable&#39; and that he would be meeting<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-mp-randeep-sarai-takes-responsibility-for-inviting-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33716"> the MP who extended the invitation</a>.

&quot;Obviously the situation was unacceptable. Like I said yesterday this individual should have never been invited and the MP (Member of Parliament) responsible has taken responsibility. I would be having a conversation with the MP in Canada,&quot; the Canadian PM added.

Asked about the list of &quot;suspected extremists&quot; by the Punjab government and the centre, Justin Trudeau said the list had been passed to intelligence officials who would go through Canadian procedures.

&quot;We regularly receive info on people of interest and make appropriate follow-ups on them. No further comment to make on the list, passed it to our intelligence officials who&#39;ll go through Canadian procedures,&quot; the Canadian PM said.

Also read - <a href="http://http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-space-for-those-who-misuse-religion-for-political-motives-separatism-pm-modi-33799">No space for those who misuse religion for political motives &amp; separatism: PM Modi</a>

The Canadian prime minister said he was happy to be able to meet Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

&quot;I am pleased to be able to refresh and renew the relationship between the Canadian government and the Punjab chief minister.We know it&#39;s a relationship important to many Canadians.We will continue to look for ways to deepen investment to move forward and there are many steps to come to improve that relationship,&quot; he said.

On a lighter note, Justin Trudeau also spoke about his wearing Indian attire and said the response of the people whether he wore Indian or western clothes was &quot;extremely encouraging in Indo-Canadian friendship.&quot;

&quot;I&#39;ve long been known to wear traditional clothes to a broad range of events in different communities in Canada and elsewhere. The reaction of people on whether I&#39;m wearing traditional clothing or suit and tie is extremely encouraging in Indo-Canadian friendship,&quot; said the Canadian prime minister who made a series of appearances in Indian attire during his visit. 
 
(With inputs from ANI) 
&nbsp;

Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not talk about Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal during their meeting

Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not talk about Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal during their meeting. "We did not talk about Jaspal Atwal," the Canadian prime minister said when asked whether he spoke to PM Modi about Jaspal Atwal whose dinner invitation by Canada's visiting PM Justin Trudeau was cancelled after an uproar. Justin Trudeau said the dinner invite to the Khalistani terrorist was 'unacceptable' and that he would be meeting the MP who extended the invitation. "Obviously the situation was unacceptable. Like I said yesterday this individual should have never been invited and the MP (Member of Parliament) responsible has taken responsibility. I would be having a conversation with the MP in Canada," the Canadian PM added. Asked about the list of "suspected extremists" by the Punjab government and the centre, Justin Trudeau said the list had been passed to intelligence officials who would go through Canadian procedures. "We regularly receive info on people of interest and make appropriate follow-ups on them. No further comment to make on the list, passed it to our intelligence officials who'll go through Canadian procedures," the Canadian PM said. Also read - No space for those who misuse religion for political motives & separatism: PM Modi The Canadian prime minister said he was happy to be able to meet Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. "I am pleased to be able to refresh and renew the relationship between the Canadian government and the Punjab chief minister.We know it's a relationship important to many Canadians.We will continue to look for ways to deepen investment to move forward and there are many steps to come to improve that relationship," he said. On a lighter note, Justin Trudeau also spoke about his wearing Indian attire and said the response of the people whether he wore Indian or western clothes was "extremely encouraging in Indo-Canadian friendship." "I've long been known to wear traditional clothes to a broad range of events in different communities in Canada and elsewhere. The reaction of people on whether I'm wearing traditional clothing or suit and tie is extremely encouraging in Indo-Canadian friendship," said the Canadian prime minister who made a series of appearances in Indian attire during his visit. (With inputs from ANI)

Did not talk about Atwal: Justin Trudeau after meeting with PM Modi

An <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-mp-randeep-sarai-takes-responsibility-for-inviting-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33716">invitation sent out to a convicted terrorist</a>, who supported an illegal Sikh separatist group, for an official event in honour of visiting Canadian Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-cancels-dinner-invite-to-convicted-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33681">Justin Trudeau</a> has created a storm in New Delhi. The Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal, was found guilty of trying to kill a Punjab minister in Vancouver in the &#39;80s and was sentenced to 20 years in jail. That sentence was overturned and Atwal never went to jail.

Atwal was also charged, but not convicted, in a 1985 near-fatal attack on Ujjal Dosanjh, a member of Trudeau&#39;s Liberal Party and opponent of the Sikh separatist movement. He later became the premier of British Columbia.

WION&#39;s&nbsp;Saurabh Bose spoke to&nbsp;Dosanjh on Trudeau&#39;s visit and the controversy around invitation given to Atwal.

Q: Jaspal Atwal&#39;s presence in Canadian PM&#39;s delegation to India has generated lot of controversy. What do you have to say about that?

Ujjal Dosanjh: I learnt about it today. It is troubling to know that a man who was convicted for an assassination attempt is in the delegation led by Canadian PM. I know that he may not be part of the official delegation but he is visiting India at the same time and was invited to the official dinner in PM Trudeau&#39;s honour by the Canadian high commission. Therefore, I assume that he is somewhat known to the PM&#39;s delegation as well as the high comissioner.

Q: But the Canadian high commissioner gave an official invite to Atwal to attend a dinner on February 22 with the PM in Delhi and then withdrew the invitation...

Ujjal Dosanjh: I believe that whole trip of Trudeau has been marred by these kind of incidents. First, there was speculation over his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister, then they decided to mend their fences and met. Then this controversy erupted. And when you look at that, one is baffled by the fact that Atwal, who had attacked someone like me back in the &#39;80s, is included in the high commissioner&#39;s dinner. He is fairly well known. He was acquitted of the charges but then he again tried to kill the visiting Punjab cabinet minister (Malkiat Singh Sidhu) and I believe that kind of man who served time in jail as a result of that conviction ought to have been known to the Prime Minister&#39;s Office.

Q: Did Atwal attack you because you espoused the cause of united India while lot of radicals were talking about Khalistan in Canada in those days?

Ujjal Dosanjh: Well, that was the reason. I was one of the very few people in Canada who spoke up at that time and I spoke up for two reasons - one for the unity and integrity of India and more importantly for unity of the Indian community. We have people from different faiths living here (in Canada) and we want to make sure that we live in peace amongst ourselves and with the rest of Canadian population. We have had a long struggle to gain basic rights in Canada and I don&#39;t want that struggle to be reversed, to lose ground by these kind of activities so I spoke out for Canada and India at that time.

Q: And Atwal then attacked Malkiat Singh Sidhu and was convicted for it, right?

Ujjal Dosanjh: He attacked me first and he of course denied the attack. He was acquitted on technicalities by the judge and I said &#39;you know, fine, justice has been done. If the Crown prosecution has not been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt so be it&#39; but then he went on to attack the visiting Punjab cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu on Vancouver Island and for that he was convicted. He is obviously a bit of a controversial chap, he has some recent convictions in connection with an insurance fraud. I am not aware of that but I am learning from the newspapers.

Q: Do you think his previous actions are reasons good enough for the Canadian goevrnment to keep a distance?

Ujjal Dosanjh: Oh, absolutely. Forget the attempted assassination on Punjabi cabinet minister or assault against me, just the insurance fraud would have kept someone away from the high commissioner&#39;s dinner or reception in India. I believe that obviously the Prime Minister&#39;s Office and security apparatus has failed in this regard. I am somewhat suprised and dissapointed.

Q: What should the Canadian government do to make things better?

Ujjal Dosanjh: It encourages them indirectly by appearing in their events, by appearing on their stages, by appearing in parades where some of the mass murderers like Talvinder Parmar - who bombed Air India - where their potrait are glorified. So I believe that in fact you know it is alright for PM of Canada to say that we believe in the unity of India and integrity of India and we won&#39;t support Khalistan but what really needs to be done and where I think Indian politicians have been absolutely inept is the framing of the question. The question ought not to be framed by politicians like &#39;Mr Trudeau do something about these people in Canada&#39; that&#39;s not the issue because Canada will simply say to you we are a free country, people are free to express their views so is India. The question is not whether you express or they express their views; the question is whether the government, the cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister and other politicians in this country associate themselves with the Khalistanis in their functions, their parades. When these terrorists pray in those parades openly and shout Khalistan slogans and glorify those murderers, it is then that politicians shouldn&#39;t adorn those stages; that is what&#39;s wrong. Politicians must cease and desist from doing that and if they understand this, the Khalistan problem in Canada will disappear and that&#39;s what the government of India needs to say to Canadian politicians. The issue is: Canadian politicians are complicit by appearing at their functions, on their stages where these mass murderers are glorified and when Khalistan slogans are raised. This complicity must stop that&#39;s what government of India and politicians of India need to say (to them). So far, nobody has said that clearly.

Q: Anything else that the Canadians should do?

Ujjal Dosanjh: Well, I am saddened both as an Indian by heritage and Canadian by citizenship that this trip has not gone well. It could have gone well as the government of Canada knew that India was concerned about the Khalistani activity here. I am still hoping that it can be salvaged when the two Prime Ministers meet.

Q: Any message for the Canadian PM?

Ujjal Dosanjh: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadians-surprised-trudeaus-reception-hasnt-been-welcoming-33701">Mr Trudeau</a> is a smart man, he does not need any message from me but I think it is important. I am sure it is clear to him that issue isn&#39;t unity and integrity of India, the issue is not of free speech. The issue is whether or not he, his government and other politicians in this country and his colleagues - directly or indirectly - support the activities of Khalistanis by being in their functions, by being on their stages where murderers are glorified, where Khalistan slogans are raised and I think that&#39;s an issue that he needs to pay attention to.

Atwal was also charged, but not convicted, in a 1985 near-fatal attack on Ujjal Dosanjh, a member of Trudeau's Liberal Party and opponent of the Sikh separatist movement. He later became the premier of British Columbia.

An invitation sent out to a convicted terrorist, who supported an illegal Sikh separatist group, for an official event in honour of visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has created a storm in New Delhi. The Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal, was found guilty of trying to kill a Punjab minister in Vancouver in the '80s and was sentenced to 20 years in jail. That sentence was overturned and Atwal never went to jail. Atwal was also charged, but not convicted, in a 1985 near-fatal attack on Ujjal Dosanjh, a member of Trudeau's Liberal Party and opponent of the Sikh separatist movement. He later became the premier of British Columbia. WION's Saurabh Bose spoke to Dosanjh on Trudeau's visit and the controversy around invitation given to Atwal. Q: Jaspal Atwal's presence in Canadian PM's delegation to India has generated lot of controversy. What do you have to say about that? Ujjal Dosanjh: I learnt about it today. It is troubling to know that a man who was convicted for an assassination attempt is in the delegation led by Canadian PM. I know that he may not be part of the official delegation but he is visiting India at the same time and was invited to the official dinner in PM Trudeau's honour by the Canadian high commission. Therefore, I assume that he is somewhat known to the PM's delegation as well as the high comissioner. Q: But the Canadian high commissioner gave an official invite to Atwal to attend a dinner on February 22 with the PM in Delhi and then withdrew the invitation... Ujjal Dosanjh: I believe that whole trip of Trudeau has been marred by these kind of incidents. First, there was speculation over his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister, then they decided to mend their fences and met. Then this controversy erupted. And when you look at that, one is baffled by the fact that Atwal, who had attacked someone like me back in the '80s, is included in the high commissioner's dinner. He is fairly well known. He was acquitted of the charges but then he again tried to kill the visiting Punjab cabinet minister (Malkiat Singh Sidhu) and I believe that kind of man who served time in jail as a result of that conviction ought to have been known to the Prime Minister's Office. Q: Did Atwal attack you because you espoused the cause of united India while lot of radicals were talking about Khalistan in Canada in those days? Ujjal Dosanjh: Well, that was the reason. I was one of the very few people in Canada who spoke up at that time and I spoke up for two reasons - one for the unity and integrity of India and more importantly for unity of the Indian community. We have people from different faiths living here (in Canada) and we want to make sure that we live in peace amongst ourselves and with the rest of Canadian population. We have had a long struggle to gain basic rights in Canada and I don't want that struggle to be reversed, to lose ground by these kind of activities so I spoke out for Canada and India at that time. Q: And Atwal then attacked Malkiat Singh Sidhu and was convicted for it, right? Ujjal Dosanjh: He attacked me first and he of course denied the attack. He was acquitted on technicalities by the judge and I said 'you know, fine, justice has been done. If the Crown prosecution has not been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt so be it' but then he went on to attack the visiting Punjab cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu on Vancouver Island and for that he was convicted. He is obviously a bit of a controversial chap, he has some recent convictions in connection with an insurance fraud. I am not aware of that but I am learning from the newspapers. Q: Do you think his previous actions are reasons good enough for the Canadian goevrnment to keep a distance? Ujjal Dosanjh: Oh, absolutely. Forget the attempted assassination on Punjabi cabinet minister or assault against me, just the insurance fraud would have kept someone away from the high commissioner's dinner or reception in India. I believe that obviously the Prime Minister's Office and security apparatus has failed in this regard. I am somewhat suprised and dissapointed. Q: What should the Canadian government do to make things better? Ujjal Dosanjh: It encourages them indirectly by appearing in their events, by appearing on their stages, by appearing in parades where some of the mass murderers like Talvinder Parmar - who bombed Air India - where their potrait are glorified. So I believe that in fact you know it is alright for PM of Canada to say that we believe in the unity of India and integrity of India and we won't support Khalistan but what really needs to be done and where I think Indian politicians have been absolutely inept is the framing of the question. The question ought not to be framed by politicians like 'Mr Trudeau do something about these people in Canada' that's not the issue because Canada will simply say to you we are a free country, people are free to express their views so is India. The question is not whether you express or they express their views; the question is whether the government, the cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister and other politicians in this country associate themselves with the Khalistanis in their functions, their parades. When these terrorists pray in those parades openly and shout Khalistan slogans and glorify those murderers, it is then that politicians shouldn't adorn those stages; that is what's wrong. Politicians must cease and desist from doing that and if they understand this, the Khalistan problem in Canada will disappear and that's what the government of India needs to say to Canadian politicians. The issue is: Canadian politicians are complicit by appearing at their functions, on their stages where these mass murderers are glorified and when Khalistan slogans are raised. This complicity must stop that's what government of India and politicians of India need to say (to them). So far, nobody has said that clearly. Q: Anything else that the Canadians should do? Ujjal Dosanjh: Well, I am saddened both as an Indian by heritage and Canadian by citizenship that this trip has not gone well. It could have gone well as the government of Canada knew that India was concerned about the Khalistani activity here. I am still hoping that it can be salvaged when the two Prime Ministers meet. Q: Any message for the Canadian PM? Ujjal Dosanjh: Mr Trudeau is a smart man, he does not need any message from me but I think it is important. I am sure it is clear to him that issue isn't unity and integrity of India, the issue is not of free speech. The issue is whether or not he, his government and other politicians in this country and his colleagues - directly or indirectly - support the activities of Khalistanis by being in their functions, by being on their stages where murderers are glorified, where Khalistan slogans are raised and I think that's an issue that he needs to pay attention to.

Man who Jaspal Atwal tried to kill has a message for Trudeau

As the controversy over invitation to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/khalistani-terrorist-should-never-have-been-invited-to-our-event-canada-33696">Punjab&nbsp;pro-Khalistani terrorist&nbsp;Jaspal </a>Atwal continued, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was seeking information on how a visa was granted to Atwal.

Canadian minister of infrastructure <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-cancels-dinner-invite-to-convicted-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33681">and communities Amarjeet Sohi</a> was photographed with Jaspal Atwal in Mumbai on February 20th. Atwal, a former member of banned terrorist group international sikh youth federation, was invited for dinner with PM Justin Trudeau in Delhi today.

Jaspal Atwal was convicted of attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who allegedly ambushed and shot at Sidhu&#39;s car.

&quot;There are two aspects to it, presence and visa. The Canadian side has already clarified that the invitation has been withdrawn,&quot; MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

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Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who ambushed &amp; shot at Sidhu&#39;s car. (Pic: Invite to Jaspal Atwal for dinner with Canadian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a>, Source: CBC News) <a href="https://t.co/dqZpWEwgls">pic.twitter.com/dqZpWEwgls</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966509089277861888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;About the visa, I don&#39;t know how it happened. We have ascertained information from our Commission,&quot; the spokesman added.

As the issue blew up both sides quickly went on damage control mode, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said: &quot;We take this extremely seriously, he should never have received an invitation. As soon as we received the information we rescinded it.&quot; The Canadian PM added&nbsp;that a member of Parliament had included Atwal.

&quot;Let us not presume things and decide how he managed to come. This is something which we are trying to find out. In due course, we will be able to come up with a reason that how he managed to come in India,&quot; the ministry of external affairs spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Randeep S. Sarai has taken responsibility for inviting&nbsp;Jaspal Atwal to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau&#39;s reception dinner in New Delhi, which is scheduled to take place later on Thursday.

&quot;I alone facilitated his request to attend this important event. I should have exercised better judgment, and I take full responsibility for my actions,&quot; Sarai said in a statement, which Canadian journalist Abigail Bimman shared on Twitter.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/randeepssarai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@randeepssarai</a> takes responsibility for inviting Jaspal Atwal and apologizes. Full statement here. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://t.co/4nVdkBuxWz">pic.twitter.com/4nVdkBuxWz</a>
&mdash; Abigail Bimman (@AbigailBimman) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbigailBimman/status/966614335199080448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

As the issue blew up both sides quickly went on damage control mode

As the controversy over invitation to Punjab pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal continued, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was seeking information on how a visa was granted to Atwal. Canadian minister of infrastructure and communities Amarjeet Sohi was photographed with Jaspal Atwal in Mumbai on February 20th. Atwal, a former member of banned terrorist group international sikh youth federation, was invited for dinner with PM Justin Trudeau in Delhi today. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who allegedly ambushed and shot at Sidhu's car. "There are two aspects to it, presence and visa. The Canadian side has already clarified that the invitation has been withdrawn," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who ambushed & shot at Sidhu's car. (Pic: Invite to Jaspal Atwal for dinner with Canadian PM #JustinTrudeau, Source: CBC News) pic.twitter.com/dqZpWEwgls — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × "About the visa, I don't know how it happened. We have ascertained information from our Commission," the spokesman added. As the issue blew up both sides quickly went on damage control mode, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said: "We take this extremely seriously, he should never have received an invitation. As soon as we received the information we rescinded it." The Canadian PM added that a member of Parliament had included Atwal. "Let us not presume things and decide how he managed to come. This is something which we are trying to find out. In due course, we will be able to come up with a reason that how he managed to come in India," the ministry of external affairs spokesman said. Meanwhile, Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Randeep S. Sarai has taken responsibility for inviting Jaspal Atwal to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's reception dinner in New Delhi, which is scheduled to take place later on Thursday. "I alone facilitated his request to attend this important event. I should have exercised better judgment, and I take full responsibility for my actions," Sarai said in a statement, which Canadian journalist Abigail Bimman shared on Twitter. .@randeepssarai takes responsibility for inviting Jaspal Atwal and apologizes. Full statement here. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/4nVdkBuxWz — Abigail Bimman (@AbigailBimman) February 22, 2018 ×

Canadian MP Randeep Sarai takes responsibility for inviting Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to India

The Canadian Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office on Thursday issued a statement saying that separatist Jaspal Atwal should not have been invited and that they are probing on &ldquo;how this occurred,&rdquo; news agencies reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-cancels-dinner-invite-to-convicted-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33681" target="_blank">Canadian PM Justin Trudeau cancels dinner invite to convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal</a>

&ldquo;This individual( Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal) should never have been invited to any event on the program, and his invitation has been rescinded. We are in the process of looking into how this occurred,&rdquo; stated the Canadian PMO&#39;s&nbsp;statement.

The invitation was cancelled after a photograph of Atwal posing with Trudeau&#39;s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, during a February-20 event organised in Mumbai came to light.

Earlier, Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel had cancelled Thursday&rsquo;s dinner invitation to Jaspal Atwal, a convicted Khalistani terrorist.

Patel was hosting the dinner for the visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation.

&ldquo;The High Commission has rescinded Mr Atwal&rsquo;s invitation. We do not comment on matters relating to the PM&rsquo;s security,&rdquo; the Canadian High Commission said.

Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. At the time of the 1986 shooting, he was a Sikh separatist active in the pro-Khalistan International Sikh Youth Federation. He and three others were convicted in 1987 of trying to kill Malkiat Singh Sidhu.&nbsp;

Trudeau, who is in India on a week-long State visit, has been under pressure throughout his tour to answer Indian concerns about Sikh separatism in Canada.

Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Indian cabinet minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who ambushed & shot at Sidhu's car

The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday issued a statement saying that separatist Jaspal Atwal should not have been invited and that they are probing on “how this occurred,” news agencies reported. Also read: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau cancels dinner invite to convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal “This individual( Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal) should never have been invited to any event on the program, and his invitation has been rescinded. We are in the process of looking into how this occurred,” stated the Canadian PMO's statement. The invitation was cancelled after a photograph of Atwal posing with Trudeau's wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, during a February-20 event organised in Mumbai came to light. Earlier, Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel had cancelled Thursday’s dinner invitation to Jaspal Atwal, a convicted Khalistani terrorist. Patel was hosting the dinner for the visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation. “The High Commission has rescinded Mr Atwal’s invitation. We do not comment on matters relating to the PM’s security,” the Canadian High Commission said. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. At the time of the 1986 shooting, he was a Sikh separatist active in the pro-Khalistan International Sikh Youth Federation. He and three others were convicted in 1987 of trying to kill Malkiat Singh Sidhu. Trudeau, who is in India on a week-long State visit, has been under pressure throughout his tour to answer Indian concerns about Sikh separatism in Canada.

Khalistani terrorist should never have been invited to our event: Canada

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau after meeting Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday cancelled an invitation to a convicted Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal.

The invitation was cancelled after a photograph of Atwal posing with Trudeau&#39;s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, during a February-20 event organised in Mumbai came to light.

&quot;I can confirm that the High Commission is in the process of rescinding Mr Atwal&#39;s invitation,&quot; PMO spokeswoman Eleanore Catenaro said, as per the report.&nbsp;

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Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who ambushed &amp; shot at Sidhu&#39;s car. (Pic: Invite to Jaspal Atwal for dinner with Canadian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a>, Source: CBC News) <a href="https://t.co/dqZpWEwgls">pic.twitter.com/dqZpWEwgls</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966509089277861888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi, photographed with Jaspal Atwal at in Mumbai on 20 Feb. Atwal, a former member of banned terrorist group Int&#39;l Sikh Youth Federation, was invited for dinner with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> in Delhi, today (CBC News) <a href="https://t.co/cO3h3YcUUA">pic.twitter.com/cO3h3YcUUA</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966506728799068160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Atwal has also been photographed with the Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi in Mumbai on February 20.&nbsp;

Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. At the time of the 1986 shooting, he was a Sikh separatist active in the pro-Khalistan International Sikh Youth Federation. He and three others were convicted in 1987 of trying to kill Malkiat Singh Sidhu.&nbsp;

Trudeau, who is in India on a week-long State visit, has been under pressure throughout his tour to answer Indian concerns about Sikh separatism in Canada.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau after meeting Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday cancelled an invitation to a convicted Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal. The invitation was cancelled after a photograph of Atwal posing with Trudeau's wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, during a February-20 event organised in Mumbai came to light. "I can confirm that the High Commission is in the process of rescinding Mr Atwal's invitation," PMO spokeswoman Eleanore Catenaro said, as per the report. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who ambushed & shot at Sidhu's car. (Pic: Invite to Jaspal Atwal for dinner with Canadian PM #JustinTrudeau, Source: CBC News) pic.twitter.com/dqZpWEwgls — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi, photographed with Jaspal Atwal at in Mumbai on 20 Feb. Atwal, a former member of banned terrorist group Int'l Sikh Youth Federation, was invited for dinner with #JustinTrudeau in Delhi, today (CBC News) pic.twitter.com/cO3h3YcUUA — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × Atwal has also been photographed with the Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi in Mumbai on February 20. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. At the time of the 1986 shooting, he was a Sikh separatist active in the pro-Khalistan International Sikh Youth Federation. He and three others were convicted in 1987 of trying to kill Malkiat Singh Sidhu. Trudeau, who is in India on a week-long State visit, has been under pressure throughout his tour to answer Indian concerns about Sikh separatism in Canada.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau cancels dinner invite to convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-mp-randeep-sarai-takes-responsibility-for-inviting-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33716" target="_blank">Canadian MP Randeep Sarai takes responsibility for inviting Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to India</a>

As the controversy over invitation to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/khalistani-terrorist-should-never-have-been-invited-to-our-event-canada-33696">Punjab&nbsp;pro-Khalistani terrorist&nbsp;Jaspal&nbsp;</a>Atwal continued, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was seeking information on how a visa was granted to Atwal.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-never-said-give-guns-to-teachers-says-trump-33729" target="_blank">&#39;I never said give guns to teachers,&#39; says Trump</a>

President Trump today denied that he said teachers should be given guns to protect students from shooters. &quot;I never said give teachers guns,&quot; the president tweeted.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-saudi-arabia-turkey-blocked-us-move-to-place-pak-on-terror-financing-watch-list-report-33707" target="_blank">China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey blocked </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-saudi-arabia-turkey-blocked-us-move-to-place-pak-on-terror-financing-watch-list-report-33707" target="_blank">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-saudi-arabia-turkey-blocked-us-move-to-place-pak-on-terror-financing-watch-list-report-33707" target="_blank"> move to place Pak on terror-financing watch list: Report</a>

A report in the Wall Street Journal(WSJ) said three countries -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-moves-motion-to-place-pakistan-on-a-global-terrorist-financing-watchlist-at-fatf-32787">China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey</a>&nbsp;blocked the US efforts to place Pakistan on the &nbsp;Financial Action Task Force(FATF) watchlist.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-on-modernisation-path-under-general-bajwa-33721" target="_blank">Pak army on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-on-modernisation-path-under-general-bajwa-33721" target="_blank">modernisation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-on-modernisation-path-under-general-bajwa-33721" target="_blank"> path under General Bajwa</a>

Pakistan Army has formulated a training policy for next three years starting from July 1st, 2017. The latest move is being seen as Pakistan&#39;s attempt to create a territorial army.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-aap-mlas-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-33728" target="_blank">Delhi Chief Secretary assault </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-aap-mlas-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-33728" target="_blank">case :</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-aap-mlas-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-33728" target="_blank"> AAP MLAs sent to judicial custody for 14 days</a>

Canadian MP Randeep Sarai takes responsibility for inviting Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to India As the controversy over invitation to Punjab pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal continued, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was seeking information on how a visa was granted to Atwal. 'I never said give guns to teachers,' says Trump President Trump today denied that he said teachers should be given guns to protect students from shooters. "I never said give teachers guns," the president tweeted. China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey blocked US move to place Pak on terror-financing watch list: Report A report in the Wall Street Journal(WSJ) said three countries - China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey blocked the US efforts to place Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force(FATF) watchlist. Pak army on modernisation path under General Bajwa Pakistan Army has formulated a training policy for next three years starting from July 1st, 2017. The latest move is being seen as Pakistan's attempt to create a territorial army. Delhi Chief Secretary assault case : AAP MLAs sent to judicial custody for 14 days

WION Evening news brief, February 22, 2018

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