Invitation controversial: Jaspal Atwal belies the theory of the government

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Christopher Nardi

Thursday, 8 march 2018 15:01

UPDATE
Thursday, 8 march 2018 15:01

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OTTAWA, saying it was “devastated” by the fact that it is in the centre of an international controversy, the ex-extremist sikh Jaspal Atwal denies the information spread by the government about its invitation to an official reception in India, which was transferred to the diplomatic incident.

• READ ALSO: Invitation of Jaspal Atwal: the indian government is coming to red cannon balls on a theory of Canada

In a statement read to the media on Thursday, Mr Atwal said that he had sought an invitation to an evening of honor at the high commission of Canada in India “through official channels”. When it was added to the list of guests, it was believed, therefore, that his presence had been approved by the government.

“When my invitation to the party became the centre of a controversy, I was completely in shock and devastated. When they sent me my invitation, I assumed that there would be no problem, and at no time has anyone indicated that there would be an issue with my presence,” said Mr. Atwal.

“I want people to know how difficult it is for the person who becomes the center of attention of the international media,” he added.

Mr. Atwal is a controversial figure in Canada and in India, because he was a Sikh separatist who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 1986 for attempted murder of an indian minister while he was visiting Canada. He was also part of a group that was later declared a terrorist group.

It is also said that his political views have evolved considerably since that time, and that he has “remorse” for his actions 32 years ago.

His version of the facts comes all the same to contradict the theory launched by an official highly placed in the government to the media, at the invitation of the Office of the prime minister.

This source, later identified by the Conservatives as the national security advisor Daniel John, suspected to be that of the free electrons of the indian government would have been able to have arranged the presence of Mr. Atwal to put Justin Trudeau in embarrassment.

“At no time did Mr Atwal was already seen as an indian agent, nor is it that he has already been approached by members of the indian government to become one of their agents or an informant,” said his lawyer Rishi Gill, who is shown to be particularly fighting with the journalists present at the press conference.

At one point, he even rebuked a reporter from Global News, for having dared to ask a question directly to Mr. Atwal.

More details to come.