Sidhu Shouldn’t Have Hugged Pakistan Army Chief, Soldiers Being Martyred On Borders: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

Despite belonging to the Congress, Captain Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister of Punjab, has disapproved of Navjot Singh Sidhu’s hugging Pakistani Army chief General Bajwa, ANI has reported.

"As far as hugging the Pakistan Army Chief is concerned I am not in its favour. It was wrong for him to have shown the affection towards the Pakistan Army Chief at a time when our soldiers are being martyred," he was quoted as saying.

Further the Punjab Chief Minister added that two jawans and a major of his own regiment had been martyred a few months ago. He questioned whether the person who pulls the trigger should be blamed for the deaths or the one who gives the orders, in a oblique reference to the Pakistan Army chief. He also distanced himself from Navjot Sidhu’s presence in the swearing in ceremony of the new Pakistan PM Imran Khan and added that the visit was made by Sidhu in his personal capacity. Navjot Sidhu was seated next to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir President in the ceremony.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised the actions of Punjab Cabinet Minister and demanded Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s view on the behaviour of his party member. BJP spokesperson described the actions of Navjot Sidhu as “no less than a crime”.

Navjot Sidhu however, justified his actions by saying that General Bajwa was a ‘Jat like Cheemas, Sandhus and Sidhus’. He added, “He was very warm and said he wanted peace”.