Punjab: Navjot Singh Sidhu summons advisers after row on Pakistan and Kashmir remarks

PATIALA: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president (PPCC) Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday summoned his advisers Malwinder Singh Mali and Dr Pyare Lal Garg, whose remarks on Pakistan and Kashmir sparked a controversy, to his residence here to discuss the matter. Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had on Sunday warned against “atrocious and ill-conceived comments that were potentially dangerous to the peace and stability of the state and the country,” referring to the statements made by the duo. Even Congress in-charge Harish Rawat weighed in on the issue.
Garg had questioned Amarinder’s criticism of Pakistan while Mali gave a controversial remark on Kashmir. Mali also posted an objectionable poster of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on social media.
After coming out of the meeting, they said agendas related with the welfare of Punjab were discussed with Sidhu. Mali said what he said in his social media post was final. When asked about Congress leader Manish Tewari’s comment regarding their views, Mali said that he has “a right to give his suggestion, just as I have the same right”. Tewari had said that such persons should not be a part of the Congress party as Kashmir was an integral part of the country.
Mali added that there the process of dialogue should be followed, so that mistakes, if any, committed by him or anybody else, can be rectified. “I respect everyone’s views,” he said. Quoting a Gurbani hymn, he said, “This is a land of Guru Nanak. There should be a dialogue. Kich kahiye kich suniye (say something, hear something)”. Earlier in the day, Mali said, “There is nothing anti-national in my social media posts. My views (remarks) that have kicked up a controversy are the same as they were in 1989. The government recruited me much later. I will remove the picture (sketch of Indira Gandhi). There are my write-ups published with such views. I had an alliance with Navjot Singh Sidhu’s agenda.” Garg said his statement was made in personal capacity. “We have tabled our suggestions on agendas of Punjab and told our views for the welfare of the state. It is up to Navjot Singh Sidhu to accept or not. Whatever Mali had said or posted on social media has been done in his individual capacity and what I say is in my individual capacity. I criticise every government and even applaud those who perform well. We will appreciate whosoever is on the right path and criticise and oppose all those who are on the wrong path because we want development of Punjab.”