Sidhu Defends His Stand, Questions Treatment Given to Army

Rozana Spokesman

News, Punjab

Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu defends his statement, claims his words presented in twisted manner...

Navjot Singh Sidhu

Chandigarh, 16th Feb: A day after he was embroiled in controversy, for all the wrong reasons, Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu addressed the media today, and answered all the questions weighing around him about the issues. Sidhu began by questioning the step motherly treatment given to army men. He said, whenever a politician moves, whole cities are brought to a standstill for their security, but when such a large convoy of men who fight for our safety, is being moved, their safety is not taken care of, and the official protocol of tracking their movements is also not followed.

He further asked, that why the soldiers were not airlifted to the intended station, and were made to sit in those trucks since the wee hours. He questioned the decision to transport the men through trucks in such condition when there was already intelligence about a supposed attack. He raised his concerns about the negative voices rearing their way into the narrative about much awaited ‘Kartarpur Corridor’.

He said that the corridor is in Guru Nanak’s remembrance. Guru Nanak has spread the word of peace, which is the most important message in today’s time. Hence the Corridor is relevant and important today. He seemed enraged over the fact that it is the soldiers always who have to die even for political unrest. It has been 71 years that the two countries have not solved this issue, and it is the brave soldiers who have to lay down their lives every time.

It is high time such an inhuman treatment of the forces is put to a halt. To solve this tug of war between the two countries, international pressure is the only way out. Without creating international pressure to find a solution of the issue, our soldiers will keep on facing this. He claimed, that he did not say anything wrong. His words, as always have been twisted and presented in front of the public by the media.

When asked a question about whether he has any regrets over hugging General Bajwa on his visit to Pakistan, he evaded the question by counter questioning the PM. He said that he went to Pakistan on official invitations and the issue has been blown out of proportion since, but the PM went there without any invitation, breaking the protocol, and his greetings and hugs have been discounted.

Sidhu also avoided commenting over Punjab CM Amarinder Singh’s statement over the Pulwama attack, in which he warned Pakistan and its Army Chief in very strong words. In the end, he clarified his stand by saying, his country is always a priority for him, and comes above everything else.

The Pulwama attack was a cowardly act, and the perpetrators must be punished severely, without any fail. It is high time we gave preference to the army men, and gave them a humanely treatment, instead of giving all preference to politicians of the Nation.