SAD blames Centre, state govts for closure of Canadian consulate in Chandigarh

LUDHIANA: The former minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal on Tuesday blamed the central and state governments for the closure of the Canadian consulate in Chandigarh, saying it will lead to undue harassment to Punjabis.In a statement here, Maheshinder Grewal said a large number of people of Punjabi origin lived in Canada and they often came to Punjab and their relatives also visited the State regularly. He said these people as well as thousands of students and visitors wishing for quick visa access to Canada would be subjected to unnecessary harassment due to the closure of the Consulate.He observed that the closure of the Consulate was the result of the Government of India’s unnecessary confrontation with the Canadian government and the failure of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to sensitise the union government about the importance of keeping the Consulate functional in public interest.Grewal also appealed to the union government to rethink its decision and withdraw it in public interest.