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Sidhu upsets many with
remarks on terror strike
News & When the nation was mourning the killing of 40 personnel of CRPF
in Pulwama terror attack, cricketer-turned-politician Sidhu once
views again landed in a major controversy over his pro-Pakistan remarks
Bharat hiteshi
unjab’s Local Bodies Min- seeking to absolve Pakistan and his
Bharat Hiteshi is an ister Navjot Singh Sidhu friend from cricketing days, Imran Khan
independent journalist- is facing the heat from his from the dastardly act, it was enough to
turned-author and a own Cabinet colleagues, trigger a social media campaign against
political commentator. opposition BJP and people him. During his media interaction after
The views expressed P at large over his alleged the suicide attack in Pulwama, Sidhu
are his own pro-Pakistan remark after the Pulwama had stated “For a handful of people, can
attack. Though the BJP, as well as the you blame the entire nation and can you
Akali Dal have demanded his removal blame an individual? It is a cowardly
from the Cabinet, none from Congress, act and I condemn it firmly. Violence is
the party to whom Sidhu belongs has always condemnable and those who did
came to his rescue. Former minister and it must be punished.”
Akali Dal MLA, Bikram Singh Majithia The statement did not go down well
said “I request Congress president Rahul with many who took to Twitter and
Gandhi to expel Sidhu from the party for demanded his immediate ouster from
speaking the language of anti-nationals. the show. Twitterati reacted strongly
His stance will weaken India’s case for and posted tweets such as “we should all
action against Pakistan at the interna- boycott Kapil Sharma’s show till Sidhu is
tional level.” The Shiromani Akali Dal removed”, “Kapil Sharma, remove Sidhu
held a protest against Cabinet Minister from your show or we will boycott The
Navjot Singh Sidhu over his pro-Pakistan Kapil Sharma Show”. Sidhu had report-
statement on the Pulwama terror attack edly been asked to leave the popular
on CRPF personnel. TV programme. Though there was no
SAD leaders pasted recent pictures official confirmation to that. However,
of Sidhu hugging Pakistan army chief the latest episode of the show aired on
Qamar Javed Bajwa while mentioning February 24, 2019 showed comedian
quotes with it that read: “Aivien nhi buj Archana Puran Singh chairing the show.
gya chirag kayi gharan da, gaddaran vich Was it only for couple of episodes till
koi zaroor apna reha hovega” (Lamp of anguish comes down or a permanent
many families did not extinguish on its arrangement was not clear yet?
own, there must be someone known If we talk about the Congress high
among traitors). Aam Aadmi Party too command, senior leader Ghulam Nabi
raised the issue while activists of the Shiv Azad distanced himself from Sidhu’s
Sena burnt posters of the Pakistan PM remark saying that this was no time
and Pakistan army chief. Kamal Sharma, to hold peace talks. “We are with the
former BJP chief said “I appreciate the government on this issue.” At the state
stand taken by Chief Minister Capt Ama- level, Punjab Congress general secretary
rinder Singh, who has spoken like a true Pawan Dewan demanded Sidhu’s dis-
soldier on the issue. Politics is a serious missal and registration of a sedition case
business and if Capt Amarinder is seri- against him for “acting as spokesperson
ous, he must sack Sidhu.” for Pakistan”.
If a senior minister like Navjot Singh Navjot Singh Sidhu, however,
Sidhu gives such a statement, clearly remained defiant. He told that he had
Tehelka / 15 march 2019 26 www.Tehelka.com
