Amidst an escalating diplomatic row between India and Canada over Nijjar's killing, prominent Sikh leader and Shiromani Akali Dal president, Sukhbir Singh Badal has urged all political parties and leaders to issue a united call against the vicious propaganda aimed at vilifying and demonising Sikhs and Punjabis.
In his most strongly worded statement yet, the former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister appealed not to be misled by the anti-Punjab and anti-Sikh propaganda.
In a post on X on 23 September 2023, former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister said, 'We must jointly condemn the vicious attempts of some anti-Punjab and anti-Sikh forces to paint our youth as anti-national and terrorist. Punjabis especially Sikhs have made unparalleled sacrifices, symbolised by Babbar Akalis, Gadari Babas, Kala Paani (Andaman & Nicobar islands) and Komagata Maru movements and by heroic martyrs like Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, Lala Lajpat Rai.'
'We appeal to all our countrymen not to be misled by the anti-Punjab and anti-Sikh propaganda. Our constitution declares India to be a Union of States, with ‘unity in diversity’ as its foundational principle. Let’s respect that.'