BJP woos hardcore Sikhs in UK
AMRITSAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to win over Sikhs living abroad, including Khalistan sympathisers and even those who have been blacklisted.
Encouraged over the outcome and a favourable response following a meeting held recently between Khalistan ideologues and Rulda Singh, general secretary of the party’s NRI cell in the UK, the cell is contemplating carrying out similar exercises in Germany, Canada and USA which have a significant number of Sikhs, both moderates and radicals.
Their efforts were aimed at creating a foothold in the rich and influential Sikh lobby besides promoting the concept of ”unity, integrity and dignity” of the country.
Rulda Singh told TNN on Monday that he met all prominent Sikh organisations of UK at Gurdwara Guru Nanak, Birmingham, and discussed at length about the black-listed Sikhs living in UK and other concerns of the Sikhs there.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Gurmej Singh Gill, president, Khalistan Jalawatan, Amrik Singh Sahota, president, Council of Khalistan, Amrik Singh Gill, president, International Sikh Youth Federation, leaders of the Babbar Khalsa, Gurdev Singh Chohan, president of Shiromani Akali Dal (UK) and Suba Singh, SAD (Amritsar-UK), among others.
Rulda Singh claimed that barring a few , most of the participants appreciated the efforts of the NRI cell, especially in helping take the names of 22 Sikhs living in Canada and USA off the blacklist.
Rulda Singh said separate meetings were also held with PC Halder, India’s high commissioner in UK, Anil Pota, general secretary, BJPUK, Acharya Sharma of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Om Parkash Chand of Shri Guru Ravi Dass Temple.